Flares, smoke and clashes disrupt Israeli orchestra’s Paris concert

The Philharmonie de Paris, pictured here in January 2020, is a cultural institution located in the Parc de la Villette at the northeastern edge of the city. Frédéric Soltan/Corbis/Getty Images Paris —

Protesters disrupted a performance by the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra in Paris three times Thursday as flares, smoke bombs and physical clashes broke out in the concert hall.

In video of the event shared on social media, several members of the audience could be seen physically assaulting one of the activists who lit a red flare. The man was chased down steps in the gallery of Paris’ Philharmonie concert hall before being protected by other concertgoers.

In a statement Friday, the Philharmonie said two smoke bombs were set off during the performance, which French Interior Minister