Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has stated he would “absolutely not” perform in Israel while the current government led by Benjamin Netanyahu is in power. This marks a significant shift from his band’s controversial decision to play a concert in Tel Aviv eight years ago.
In a recent interview, Yorke explained his updated position, distancing himself from the regime. The statement comes as Radiohead prepares for its first tour in seven years, which is already facing boycott calls from pro-Palestinian activists over a separate performance by bandmate Jonny Greenwood.
Key Takeaways
- Thom Yorke has reversed his previous stance, stating he would not play in Israel under the current government.
- In 2017, Radiohead performed in Tel Aviv despite widespread criticism and calls for a cultural boycott.
- Yorke expressed regret over the 2017 show, recalling being “horrified” when thanked by an Israeli official.
- The band's upcoming tour is already targeted by boycott campaigns due to guitarist Jonny Greenwood's activities.
A Firm Reversal on Performing in Israel
Thom Yorke has made his current position on performing in Israel clear. In an interview with the Sunday Times magazine, conducted before the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the singer was unequivocal.
When asked if he would play in the country now, he responded, “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t want to be 5,000 miles anywhere near the Netanyahu regime.” This statement represents a stark contrast to the stance he and his band, Radiohead, took in 2017.
The decision to change his public stance follows years of sustained pressure and personal reflection on the complexities of artists performing in the region.
The Controversial 2017 Tel Aviv Concert
In 2017, Radiohead concluded their 'A Moon Shaped Pool' world tour with a concert in Tel Aviv. The performance went ahead despite a public campaign urging them to cancel, which was supported by prominent cultural figures like British director Ken Loach.
At the time, Yorke defended the decision, arguing that engaging with a country's public was not an endorsement of its government. He drew parallels to performing in the United States during the Trump administration.
“Playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing the government. We’ve played in Israel for over 20 years through a succession of governments, some more liberal than others. As we have in America. We don’t endorse Netanyahu any more than Trump, but we still play in America,” Yorke wrote in a statement on X in 2017.
However, his recent interview suggests a change of heart, hinting at regret. Yorke recalled an incident from the 2017 trip where a “clearly connected high up” Israeli official came to the band's hotel to thank them for playing. He described himself as being “horrified” by the encounter, implying he was uncomfortable with his performance being perceived as a political endorsement.
The BDS Movement
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement is a Palestinian-led initiative that calls for a cultural and academic boycott of Israel. The movement aims to pressure Israel to meet what it describes as its obligations under international law. High-profile artists are often central to these campaigns.
Complex Band Dynamics and Renewed Scrutiny
The issue has remained a persistent point of contention for the band's members. Last year, during a solo performance in Melbourne, Australia, Yorke briefly left the stage after a pro-Palestinian heckler challenged him on the conflict in Gaza.
Following the incident, he released a statement clarifying that his “supposed silence was somehow being taken as complicity” was shocking to him. In that same statement, he referred to Netanyahu and his administration as “extremists” who “need to be stopped.”
Radiohead's guitarist, Jonny Greenwood, has deep personal and professional ties to Israel. He is married to an Israeli artist, Sharona Katan, and has a long-standing musical collaboration with Israeli rock musician Dudu Tassa. Greenwood has faced direct criticism from boycott advocates for these collaborations.
Greenwood's position is also nuanced. While maintaining his artistic connections, he has participated in protests in Israel calling for the removal of Prime Minister Netanyahu. He told the Sunday Times magazine that he spends significant time in Israel with his family and is “not ashamed of working with Arab and Jewish musicians.”
New Tour Faces Preemptive Boycott Calls
As Radiohead prepares to embark on its first tour in seven years, the controversy has already reignited. Before the 20-show European tour was officially announced, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) issued a statement.
The group called for a boycott of the upcoming tour, citing Jonny Greenwood's decision to perform in Tel Aviv with Dudu Tassa earlier in 2024. This indicates that despite Yorke's new stance, the band as a whole remains a target for activists due to the individual actions of its members.
The band's tour, set to begin next month, will likely proceed under the shadow of this renewed political pressure, placing the artists' individual and collective decisions under a microscope once again.