📝 What it is about
Jonny Greenwood, a member of the renowned band Radiohead, is standing firm against calls to cancel his European festival tour with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa amidst criticism related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
❓ Why it matters
The controversy highlights broader issues of cultural boycotts and artistic freedom, as well as the role of art in fostering understanding amidst geopolitical tensions.
🔍 Background
Greenwood and Tassa planned their joint tour in Europe following their 2023 album that featured multiple singers from across the Middle East. Though some performances were rescheduled in response to the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, Greenwood has decided not to cancel the tour altogether.
⬇️ The Big Picture
Despite growing anti-Israel sentiments in the arts and persistent calls for boycotts, Greenwood released a public statement indicating his refusal to be part of the campaign to silence Israeli artists. This stance is supported by his deep personal connections to Israel, including being married to Israeli visual artist Sharona Katan and his history of collaborations with Israeli musicians like Tassa and Shye Ben Tzur.
💬 What Greenwood Says
In his social media statement, Greenwood underscored that silencing Israeli artists is counterproductive and explained that such boycotts only serve to hinder the truly progressive voices within any society. He also elaborated that banning artistic collaborations urged by fellow Western artists seems “unprogressive” and implicitly counterintuitive.
🇮🇱 Emphasizing Israeli Heritage
Dudu Tassa, who originates from a prominent Mizrahi musical legacy, has also been outspoken in support of their collaborative efforts aimed at fostering understanding and peace through music, as opposed to escalating tensions through calls for boycotts.
🎸 Radiohead’s Bold Stance
Radiohead has previously faced similar pressures, notably regarding their 2017 concert in Tel Aviv. In line with Greenwood’s commitments, the band maintained their stance against the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movements, with lead singer Thom Yorke defending their decisions robustly.
🔗 The Way Forward
While recognizing the inherent difficulties posed by ongoing conflicts, Greenwood stressed the importance of actions over inaction. Both he and Tassa hope their performances will not only highlight the futility of boycotts but also be a symbolic step toward a more united and peaceful future.
This story was first published on jpost.com.