We are absolutely disapproving of the decision made against Daniel Barenboim

Zubin Mehta

Barenboim had originally agreed not to play Wagner at the prestigious Berlin Staatskapelle concert on 7 July in Jerusalem, but he conducted an encore by the composer on the night.

This broke a decades-old Israeli cultural taboo.

Mehta said: "We are really, very completely condemning and absolutely disapproving of the decision made by the cultural committee of the parliament against Daniel Barenboim."

The education and culture committee of Israel's parliament said on Tuesday that Israeli cultural institutions should shun Barenboim until he apologises.

Zubin Mehta: Disapproved of Israeli Parliament's suggestion

Indian-born Mehta added that Barenboim was "extremely disturbed" by the committee's announcement.

Barenboim had said in May he would exclude Wagner's opera Die Walkuerie after pressure from Holocaust survivors, politicians, and members of a Nazi-hunting organization.

Mehta agreed with Barenboim that democracy and freedom of expression were now at stake.

"What happened in July with his Berlin orchestra is for open debate," Mehta said. "It can be discussed and it is discussed because we are living in a democracy."

Barenboim: Broke a decades-old Israeli taboo

Mehta conducted the encore from Tristan and Isolde with the Israel Philharmonic in 1982, but his performance was interrupted by a Holocaust survivor.

The man rolled up his sleeve to show Mehta a concentration camp number tattoo.

Since then Mehta has never included the composer in his performances in Israel.

Wagner was born in Leipzig in 1813 and was an acknowledged anti-Semite.

He provided anti-Semitic inspiration for the Nazis and was the favourite composer of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.