Andrea Bocelli’s planned concerts in Indonesia face uncertainty after the Indonesian Ulema Council sought their cancellation over his past activities linked to Israel, according to October 14 reports by AP and The Jakarta Post. Police in Magelang have also withdrawn a recommendation for a permit for the Italian tenor’s Borobudur performance.
Bocelli’s official tour calendar lists Borobudur on October 31 and Jakarta International Expo on November 3, 2026. The concert website advertises an outdoor performance at Borobudur and an indoor show in Jakarta, with ticket links for both. The events form part of his Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour.
AP reported that the council, known as MUI, cited a 2010 fundraiser in Los Angeles for the Israel Defense Forces and a 2022 Tel Aviv concert. It considers those activities incompatible with its position on the conflict in Gaza. Indonesia has widespread public support for Palestinians and has long backed an independent Palestinian state, AP noted.
The Jakarta Post reported that Tourism Ministry Secretary Bayu Aji said officials were studying the situation and would respect the council’s position. He also stressed that concert permits were outside the ministry’s authority. The ministry hoped Bocelli’s representatives would issue a statement supporting Palestinian independence, the newspaper reported.
Local outlet detik reported that Magelang deputy police chief Bim Rekoaji confirmed withdrawal of the permit recommendation and said the withdrawal letter had been sent to organizers. He did not explain the reason, according to detik. That administrative step concerns the Borobudur event; it does not itself establish that both concerts have been canceled.
AP reported no immediate public response from Bocelli or the organizers to the objections. Both dates remained advertised on the official tour and concert websites when checked. The listings show the announced schedule, but do not resolve the permit dispute or confirm that the performances will proceed.
Comments