Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead reported on Tuesday that” reliable risks” had prevented two of his upcoming shows with Israeli-born rocker Dudu Tassa.
The guitar and keyboardist were scheduled to play two times with Tassa in Bristol, west of England, in June, and in London.
The news was welcomed by a pro-Palestinian activist group that supports political and economic activity against Israel over its cure of Palestinians.
” Palestinians are pleased that both of their English displays have been canceled. The PACBI-BDS motion, which had campaigned against the shows, said on X that we reiterated our phone for all locations to refuse to program this responsible celebration that can only artwash genocide.
Greenwood, Tassa, and their musicians announced the show’s cancellation, stating that “venues and their pure personnel have received adequate credible threats to assume that it’s not healthy to proceed.”
The campaigners lauded the decision as a victory, but we don’t see anything to enjoy or find anything to be accomplished, according to the letter posted on X.
It is evidently a method of repression and silencing for players to refrain from performing and to prevent citizens from hearing them.
” We think that art exists above and beyond politicians,” it continued, adding that designers may be free to express themselves regardless of their nationality or religion, and truly regardless of the choices their governments make.
European rappers Kneecap had numerous concerts canceled as a result of the email.
American counter-terrorism police last week opened an exploration into British band’s online video after it denied supporting Hamas and Hezbollah or inciting violence against UK officials.
Nearly 40 other organizations and artists joined Kneecap in a joint statement where they said,” we feel the need register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom.”
” We have no judgement to pass on Kneecap,” Greenwood and his fellow musicians continued,” but we have to note how sad it is that those who support our freedom of expression are the same ones who are most determined to restrict ours.”
Despite being told to reschedule as part of a cultural boycott, Radiohead still performed in Tel Aviv in 2017.
Yorke wrote on Twitter at the time,” Playing in a nation isn’t the same as applauding its government.”
” We’ve played in Israel for more than 20 years, under various governments, some more liberal than others. As we have in America, he said.
We still play in America, he continued, adding that we don’t support Netanyahu as much as Trump does.
