A Belgian festival said Thursday it stood by its decision to axe a leading German orchestra's performance over concerns about its Israeli conductor -- despite furious protests from Israel and Berlin.

Belgium's foreign minister distanced himself Thursday from the decision by Flanders Festival Ghent, where the Munich Philharmonic was to perform on September 18, led by its future chief conductor, Israel's Lahav Shani.

Israel's ambassador to Belgium described the move as "anti-Semitic" and accused festival organisers of "racism".

"There are words to describe discriminating a person based solely on his origin," ambassador Idit Rosenzweig-Abu wrote on X.

Shani, who officially takes over as........

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