Turkish composer and pianist Fazıl Say has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and called on Western classical music institutions and fellow artists to denounce the war in a series of posts on X this week. “The leading classical music institutions in Western countries are so pro-Israel that this is a disgrace to me,” he wrote, adding that he often feels isolated even while performing. He urged, “Wake up, music world! … Do not stay silent in the face of such helplessness, such injustice.”
Say acknowledged that speaking out could cost him engagements, saying canceled concerts would not deter him. He previously faced professional fallout in 2023, when Swiss retailer Migros dropped his appearances after he criticized Israel on social media and replaced him with Swiss pianist Louis Schwizgebel—cancellations Migros confirmed at the time.
The pianist, who has also condemned Hamas’s October 2023 attacks, framed his latest appeal amid mounting concern over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. The world’s top food-security monitoring system confirmed in August that Famine (IPC Phase 5) exists in Gaza Governorate and warned it could spread, a finding echoed by U.N. agencies and the WHO.
Casualty figures remain contested, but Gaza’s Health Ministry now reports more than 64,000 Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023; recent tallies by U.N.-linked and major media outlets place the toll in the mid-60,000s, with injuries above 160,000. Israel says it targets Hamas and acts in self-defense. The October 7 Hamas-led attack killed about 1,200 people in Israel and led to around 250 hostages being taken.
Say’s remarks also track with a growing chorus labeling Israel’s campaign a genocide. In late August, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) adopted a resolution stating Israel’s actions meet the 1948 Genocide Convention’s definition. This week, the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and said senior officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, incited it—findings Israel rejects as biased and “scandalous.”
Diplomatic momentum continues to churn around Gaza: on September 18, the United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire and hostage release, underscoring sharp divides over how to end the conflict even as Gaza’s humanitarian indicators worsen.
Israel denies allegations of genocide, saying its operations are aimed at Hamas and that it seeks to minimize harm to civilians. Human rights groups and academic bodies cited above dispute that account, pointing to the scale of civilian deaths, widespread destruction, and documented statements by Israeli officials referenced in recent U.N. findings.
