Radiohead Guitarist and Israeli Musician Cancel UK Concerts Amidst Boycott Threats
Jonny Greenwood, the guitarist for the renowned rock band Radiohead, and Israeli musician Dudu Tassa have announced the cancellation of two scheduled concerts in the United Kingdom, specifically in London and Bristol. The concerts, initially planned for late June, were called off due to what the artists described as "credible threats" following a concerted campaign for a boycott by a pro-Palestinian group.
The artists communicated their decision via social media, stating that the organizers had "received enough credible threats to conclude that it is not sensible" to proceed with the performances. They elaborated on the difficult situation, adding, "We can’t expect either to finance our or our audiences’ protection." The cancellation highlights the growing tensions and complexities faced by artists navigating the intersection of political activism and artistic expression, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Greenwood, Tassa, and their band members voiced their strong disapproval of what they perceive as a form of "censorship." In their statement, they emphasized that "Intimidating concert venues… will not help bring about the peace and justice that everyone deserves in the Middle East." The artists underscored their belief in the fundamental right of artists to express themselves freely, regardless of their nationality or religious affiliation, and, crucially, independent of the political decisions made by their respective governments. This stance reflects a commitment to the autonomy of artistic creation and a rejection of attempts to politicize cultural events.
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), the group spearheading the boycott efforts, responded to the cancellation with satisfaction. The organization reiterated its call for all venues to refuse to host the concerts, further solidifying their position and continuing their campaign against Greenwood and Tassa. PACBI, a key component of the broader Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, accuses the musicians of being "complicit in the genocide in Gaza."
The BDS movement advocates for various forms of boycott against Israel until it meets what the movement describes as its obligations under international law, which include ending its occupation of Palestinian territories, ensuring full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and respecting the right of return for Palestinian refugees. The movement’s tactics have been met with both support and strong opposition, raising complex questions about freedom of expression, the role of cultural institutions in political discourse, and the legitimacy of using boycott as a tool for political change.
PACBI’s specific grievance against Jonny Greenwood stems from his performance in Tel Aviv in May 2024. The group also criticizes Radiohead, whom they describe as "perhaps the best-known band to have defied calls" to boycott Israel. This criticism highlights the ongoing pressure on artists to align their actions with political stances, particularly those related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This is not the first time Radiohead has faced such pressure. In October, Radiohead’s frontman, Thom Yorke, was confronted by a pro-Palestinian audience member during a solo performance in Melbourne, Australia. The audience member challenged Yorke, questioning, "How many dead children does it take before you condemn the genocide in Gaza?" Yorke responded sharply, accusing the individual of disrupting the concert and challenging him to voice his concerns directly: "Don’t stand there like a coward, come here and say it to my face."
The incident in Melbourne, along with the current cancellation of concerts, underscores the increasingly polarized environment in which artists operate. The demands for accountability and the pressure to take public stances on politically charged issues are becoming more intense, forcing artists to navigate complex moral and ethical considerations.
As far back as 2017, Radiohead publicly denounced a campaign urging them to cancel a concert in Israel, describing the calls for a boycott as "an extraordinary waste of energy." This statement reflected the band’s long-standing position on the issue and their resistance to being drawn into political debates that they believed detracted from their artistic expression.
The cancellation of the Greenwood and Tassa concerts in the UK represents a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding the cultural boycott of Israel. It raises important questions about the limits of free expression, the responsibilities of artists, and the effectiveness of boycott as a tool for political advocacy. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by artists seeking to navigate the complex and often contentious landscape of international politics. The long-term impact of this incident on the cultural landscape and the ongoing debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains to be seen, but it undeniably marks a moment of heightened tension and scrutiny for artists operating in this sensitive arena. The ability of artists to perform freely and engage with audiences around the world is being tested, and the outcome of this challenge will have significant implications for the future of cultural exchange and artistic expression. The delicate balance between artistic freedom and political responsibility continues to be a subject of intense debate, with no easy answers in sight.
