German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued Wednesday that the "poison of antisemitism" was spreading as he criticised a Belgian festival's decision to axe a performance by a German orchestra with an Israeli conductor.

The Flanders Festival Ghent announced last week it was cancelling the Munich Philharmonic's show as it was going to be led by the orchestra's future chief conductor, Lahav Shani.

When they announced the cancellation of the concert, organisers said Shani had not "unequivocally" distanced himself from the Israeli government, whose war against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza has triggered international uproar.

But the move triggered condemnation and accusations of antisemitism, including from Germany, Israel and Belgium.

"Antisemitic rhetoric is becoming normalised," w

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