BBC to show edited Proms concert – without the boos

The BBC will broadcast a Proms performance by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra which it was forced to take off air after being interrupted by protesters.

The orchestra defied calls for a boycott by Pro-Palestinian group, The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which claimed the musicians were complicit in "whitewashing Israel's persistent violations of international law and human rights".

The concert, conducted by Zubin Mehta, was disrupted by people in the choir stall who started singing their own words put to the tune of "Ode to Joy". After three further incidents of disruption, which were booed by other audience members, the BBC took the concert, being broadcast live on Radio 3, off air.

The station will now broadcast selected passages which were free from audible protests. A BBC spokesman said: "The invitation was a purely musical one, offering the opportunity to hear this fine Orchestra in conductor Zubin Mehta's 75th year, so we are disappointed that BBC Radio 3 audiences were not able to enjoy the full performance."

About 30 people were ejected from the hall but there were no arrests despite reports of scuffles between protesters and angry concert-goers.