Daniel Barenboim has received an honorary knighthood for his work towards reconciliation in the Middle East through music. The 68-year-old received the KBE – the highest honour for foreign citizens – from the British ambassador to Berlin at a gala dinner in the German capital. Barenboim was praised for his tireless campaigning for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Last month, he led an orchestra in a “peace concert” in Gaza.

“Daniel Barenboim is a staunch advocate of the unifying power of music,” British ambassador Simon McDonald said. “He certainly has become an inspirational figure, not least of all for the next generation of musicians.”