JAKARTA – Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli’s two scheduled concerts in Indonesia will proceed despite objections from the country’s leading Muslim clerical organization over his past support for Israel, the event organizer said Tuesday.
Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has no formal diplomatic ties with Israel and has consistently voiced strong support for the Palestinians.
On Oct. 10, the Indonesian Ulema Council, the nation’s most influential association of Islamic scholars, called on organizers to cancel Bocelli’s performances. The concerts are scheduled for Oct. 31 at the UNESCO-listed Borobudur Temple and Nov. 3 in Jakarta.
The council pointed to Bocelli’s previous support for Israel, including his appearance at a 2010 fundraiser for the Israel Defense Forces in Los Angeles and a 2022 performance in Tel Aviv.
Shoemaker Live, Bocelli’s concert promoter, said the events would continue as scheduled. The company said the performances would benefit Indonesia’s tourism and cultural sectors, adding that the decision followed consultations with government officials and other stakeholders.
“Maestro Bocelli stands on the side of humanity and wishes to share hope for peace, especially with those who are unable to experience it today,” Shoemaker Live founder Prajna Murdaya said in a statement.
Murdaya said Bocelli plans to dedicate one song at each concert to humanity and world peace, with a particular focus on children and communities affected by conflict.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Infamous Serial Killer 'The Serpent' Found Roaming UK Streets on Vacation, Disguised and Bragging About Being a 'Shadow' – NewsFinale
He also highlighted the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, which was founded in 2011 and supports education, community development and aid programs for vulnerable communities worldwide.
The organizer said it would also launch a fundraising campaign, including a commitment to provide 100,000 pairs of shoes to children in the Holy Land and other areas affected by war.
The religious council reiterated its opposition Tuesday. The concerts could “hurt the feelings of many Indonesians who strongly support Palestinians,” said Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, the council’s chair for foreign affairs.
Bocelli’s Indonesian performances are part of his Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour.
___
Associated Press journalists Andi Jatmiko and Dita Alangkara in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.