In October 2023, I wrote: „Are we now going to surrender to this terrible violence and let our quest for peace die - or are we going to continue to insist that there must and can be peace?” and: „Right now, we must all see the human being in others.“
More than 19 months later, we are devastated by the tens of thousands of innocent victims claimed by the atrocious ongoing war on Gaza. I condemn this war in the strongest possible terms, and I also condemn the escalating acts of aggression and violence between Israel, Iran and the USA at the expense of the civilian population.

My thoughts are with the students of the Barenboim-Said Academy and the musicians of the West- Eastern Divan Orchestra, their families and friends. Both the Academy and the Divan Orchestra are more important today than ever as institutions where young musicians from Israel, Palestine, Arab countries, Iran and Turkey can freely express themselves while hearing and accepting the narratives of others.

Both institutions are humanistic and educational initiatives fostering dialogue, critical discourse, and empathetic listening among young people from seemingly irreconcilable backgrounds, particularly Israel and Palestine.

Today, it takes not only talent, but courage, to study and work here. Our institutions cannot function without mutual respect, the fight against ignorance and the promotion of a vision of justice and equality - all of this alongside artistic excellence.

Yes, we are going to continue to insist there must and can be peace. I call for an immediate end to the fighting; and for a path towards a just and lasting solution to this conflict.

I admire the achievements of the Academy's students and graduates over the past semesters and congratulate them all warmly.

I look forward to meeting the members of the West Eastern Divan Orchestra again in August for rehearsals and concerts.

Berlin, 24 June, 2025

Daniel Barenboim