Anti-Israeli protesters disrupt Zubin Mehta's performance in BBC Proms concert

London, Sep 2(ANI): A group of anti- Israeli protestors disrupted the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's Proms concert at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Several demonstrators shouted slogans as Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's Music Director Zubin Mehta stood to conduct Bruch's violin concerto. Many audience members booed in response.

"As Zubin Mehta stood up and began each piece a small group of protesters each time tried to stop the music. They sang, they shouted, they were met by boos by the audience and they had to be removed by the security staff," the BBC reports.

A group of about 20 campaigners waved banners and sang songs in protest against the appearance of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) outside the concert hall.

The disturbance took place after Palestine Solidarity Campaign called on people to boycott the concert and urged the BBC to cancel it.

The pro-Palestinian group had earlier claimed on its website that the IPO showed "complicity in whitewashing Israel's persistent violations of international law and human rights".

The performance, which consisted of four parts, was interrupted twice due to sustained disturbance.

"We're sorry that the concert was taken off air following hall disturbance. Glad both pieces were heard by the audience in the RAH," The BBC Proms Team tweeted.

"We regret that as a result of sustained audience disturbance tonight's concert was taken off BBC Radio 3," it added.

BBC Proms spokesperson said the BBC was "disappointed" because the coverage had to be taken off air but said the performance continued in the hall.

British Police confirmed there were no arrests and only heated exchanges between not only supporters of both political sides but also audience irked by the concert disruption. (ANI)