Radiohead Thom Yorke Cancels Israel Performance
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Thom Yorke Refuses to Perform in Israel, Cites Netanyahu Regime
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Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has stated he would not perform in Israel under the current political climate, explicitly citing his opposition to the Netanyahu regime. This stance contrasts wiht a previous performance in 2017 and highlights ongoing debate within the band regarding engagement with Israel.
Yorke’s Current Stance
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times Magazine, Yorke unequivocally stated, “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t wont to be 5,000 miles anywhere near the [Benjamin] Netanyahu regime.” This is a significant shift from 2017 when Radiohead performed in tel Aviv despite calls for a boycott.
Yorke expressed feeling “horrified” that the 2017 gig was “hijacked” by individuals connected to high-ranking officials, leading him to question the event’s purpose. He acknowledged guitarist Jonny Greenwood’s personal connections to Israel,stating,”So I get it.”
Past Controversy and Recent Incident
Radiohead’s 2017 performance at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv sparked considerable controversy. Activists argued the concert legitimized the Israeli government’s policies towards Palestinians. Yorke reportedly addressed the criticism from the stage, stating, “A lot was said about this, but in the end we played some music.”
Last year, Yorke was heckled at a solo gig in Melbourne regarding the war in Gaza. He responded defensively, asking the heckler to confront him directly before leaving the stage. He later released a statement on Instagram expressing shock that his silence was interpreted as complicity.
Greenwood’s Differing Viewpoint
Jonny Greenwood, married to Israeli artist Sharona Katan and a long-time collaborator with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa, holds a different perspective. He told The Sunday Times Magazine he would ”politely disagree” with Yorke.
Greenwood believes boycotts could be counterproductive, arguing that the Israeli government might use them to reinforce a narrative of international hostility and justify its actions. He stated, “It’s nuts. The only thing that I’m as…