Israeli conductor condemns 'atrocious and horrific' situation in Gaza at BBC proms

Israeli conductor Ilan Volkov denounced Israel's genocide in Gaza in a speech following a performance at London's BBC proms at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday.

Addressing the audience after a performance with the the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Volkov said he will no longer perform in his home country in protest against the government's actions in Gaza.

“In my heart there is great pain … I come from Israel and live there. I love it, it’s my home. But what’s happening is atrocious and horrific on a scale that’s unimaginable.

“Innocent Palestinians being killed in thousands, displaced again and again, without hospitals and schools, not knowing when the next meal [will come]. Israeli hostages are kept in terrible conditions for almost two years and political prisoners are languishing in Israeli jails".