Indonesian Ulema Council Calls for Cancellation of Andrea Bocelli Concerts Over Israel Support

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has called for two planned concerts by Italian singer Andrea Bocelli to be cancelled, citing his past support for Israel.
The council opposed performances at Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, and in Jakarta, saying that providing Bocelli with a platform would conflict with public solidarity with Palestinians and the council’s religious guidance.
MUI cited Bocelli’s participation in a 2010 fundraising event for the Israeli military in Los Angeles and his 2022 concert in Tel Aviv as grounds for its objections.
Council representatives also met Tourism Ministry officials to discuss the performances. Ministry Secretary Bayu Aji said the government supported Palestine and would continue discussions on the council’s concerns.
According to the report, Magelang police withdrew their recommendation supporting a permit for the Borobudur concert following growing opposition from Islamic organisations. However, no final cancellation announcement was reported.
Neither Bocelli nor the organisers had issued an immediate public response to the objections. The performances are part of the singer’s Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour.