Orchestra disbanded for playing to Holocaust survivors

Palestinian officials in a West Bank refugee camp have disbanded a youth orchestra after it played for Holocaust survivors in Israel.

Jenin refugee camp official Adnan Hindi said the 13-member Strings of Freedom children’s orchestra should not have played for survivors, calling the Holocaust “a political issue”.

Speaking today, Mr Hindi said the orchestra’s conductor has also been barred from entering the refugee camp.

Conductor Wafa Younis said she was not informed of the ban.

The youth orchestra performed a goodwill concert for elderly survivors in the Israeli town of Holon Wednesday.

Playing down or even denying the Holocaust is common in Palestinian society.

Many Palestinians are sensitive about acknowledging Jewish suffering, fearing it would weaken their own historical grievances against Israel.