What it is about
Renowned musician Jonny Greenwood is addressing concerns and criticism surrounding his collaboration with Israeli rock star Dudu Tassa amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite calls for cancellation, Greenwood remains firm in continuing their planned European festival tour.
Why it matters
This collaboration serves as a poignant example of artistic unity that transcends political tensions. Greenwood and Tassa’s partnership challenges widespread anti-Israel sentiment, showcasing the importance of cultural exchange and dialogue in fostering mutual understanding and peace.
The backstory
Greenwood, famed for his work with Radiohead, and Tassa, a significant Mizrahi family musician, planned to tour Europe following their collaborative album with Middle Eastern singers. Although some performances were rescheduled due to the October 7 Hamas attacks, the tour’s continuance champions the resilience and unity of artistic endeavor despite external pressures.
The response
Greenwood, in a robust social media statement, criticized those calling to silence Israeli artists. He emphasized the counterproductive nature of such boycotts, stating, “The silencing of Israeli filmmakers/musicians/dancers when their work tours abroad feels unprogressive to me.” Dudu Tassa echoed this sentiment, praising Greenwood as an advocate for peace and justice through music.
Context and significance
Greenwood, who has deep ties to Israel through his marriage to Israeli artist Sharona Katan, and a history of musical collaborations with Tassa and Shye Ben Tzur, underscores the cultural mosaic within Israel. Tassa’s heritage as the grandson of 20th-century Iraqi composer Daoud Al-Kuwaity illuminates the rich, albeit complex, cultural history often overshadowed in modern discourse.
Greenwood and Tassa’s vision
Both artists advocate that music serves as a platform for cross-cultural understanding rather than fostering division. Tassa remarked, “Our desire and choice as musicians from different backgrounds… is to strive to understand the ‘other’ through the language of music.” They view their performances as conducive to peace, directly opposing the divisive objectives of boycotts.
Final thoughts
Greenwood acknowledged the “difficult time” surrounding their performances but highlighted the necessity of creative dialogue over silence. He asserts, “Silencing Israeli artists for being born Jewish in Israel doesn’t seem like any way to reach an understanding between the two sides of this apparently endless conflict.”
The bottom line
Through their steadfast commitment to tour, Greenwood and Tassa exemplify the potential of music as a unifying force that transcends political divides and champions progressive dialogue over animosity.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.