Ahead of Andrea Bocelli’s concert, titled Romanza – 30th Anniversary World Tour, scheduled for the 31st of October, 2026, at Borobudur Temple, the Indonesian Ulema Council (Majelis Ulama Indonesia or MUI) has called for the event to be cancelled due to reports of Bocelli’s alleged links to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
In response, Magelang Police have officially withdrawn their recommendation for Bocelli’s concert permit.
“We did receive an application for a permit for the event. But as of today, we have revoked it,” the Deputy Chief of Magelang Police, AKBP Bim Rekoaji, said on Tuesday, the 13th of October.
The decision was announced during a meeting with a group of protesters opposing Bocelli’s concert at the Borobudur Tourism Park (Taman Wisata Borobudur or TWB) unit office. However, Rekoaji did not disclose the specific reasons behind the decision.
The controversy surrounding Bocelli’s concert arose after the MUI highlighted reports of his alleged involvement in a fundraising event in support of the IDF, which was held in Los Angeles back in the year 2010. Moreover, it was noted that Bocelli also performed in Tel Aviv in the year 2022.
Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, the MUI’s chairman for foreign affairs, argued that Bocelli’s history justified a request for the government to reconsider plans for Bocelli’s performance in Indonesia.
“Do not provide a stage to anyone who has helped fund those who kill the people of Gaza and Palestine,” Hakim asserted.
Meanwhile, Bayu Aji, secretary of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, stated that the ministry had yet to reach an official decision regarding Bocelli’s upcoming concert.
“There has been no official statement from our leadership, as we are still studying the situation,” Aji said.
Previously, American gospel singer Israel Houghton, along with his group Israel & New Breed, was denied permission to perform in Indonesia, where a concert had been scheduled in October. The cancellation was decided due to security concerns, as Houghton had previously voiced his support for Israel in his performances. In that instance, the Indonesian government stated that it would not issue a visa should Houghton apply to perform in the country.
“Yes, it is understood that during several shows held in various locations abroad, in between musical performances, the artist in question made a statement—which included the words, ‘I stand with Israel.’ This is a rather sensitive remark,” the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, previously said, as quoted from the press on Tuesday, the 6th of October.
Despite Houghton being a gospel singer, Mahendra emphasised that this decision does not mean the Indonesian government is banning musical performances or taking issue with a musician’s religion. The Indonesian government has no objection to art and music-related activities, provided they do not contain political elements that could potentially cause problems.
“We are not banning musical performances, nor are we questioning anyone’s religion. However, if there is indeed a political motive behind such support—one that proves detrimental to the Palestinian people’s struggle—then it is inconsistent with our foreign policy, as well as with the thoughts and aspirations of our own society,” Mahendra explained.