Radiohead are facing a boycott after being accused of ‘artwashing the Gaza genocide’ by performing in Israel.
The band shared a stage with Israeli rock star Dudu Tassa at the Barby Club in Tel Aviv on 26 May but faced criticism from Palestinian activists afterwards in the wake of the conflict in the region.
Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) which supports Gazans against Israel’s government, said the musicians had engaged in ‘shameful art-washing’- a term used to suggest controversial actions can be downplayed by using artists.
BDS is now calling on its supporters to disrupt Radiohead’s planned tour in Europe- as they intend to perform with Mr Tassa.
But guitarist Jonny Greenwood denied the allegation, arguing their performance in Tel Aviv included many Arabic love songs from their 2023 album- and was designed to promote harmony between Israeli and Palestinian.
Jonny Greenwood (left) Dudu Tassa (right) and singer Thom Yorke (foreground) at a Radiohead concert backstage.
Jonny Greenwood is married to Israeli Sharona Katan (right)- who is a visual artist.
Thom Yorke who also dismissed claims of ‘artwashing’ and Jonny Greenwood performing in Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
BDS’ strong statement read: ‘Palestinians unequivocally condemn Jonny Greenwood’s shameful artwashing of Israel’s genocide.’
But this prompted a heartfelt response from the musician who said: ‘I think an artistic project that combines Arab and Jewish musicians is worthwhile.’
He added: ‘The silencing of Israeli film makers, musicians, dancers when their work tours abroad…feels unprogressive to me.’
‘Not least because it is these people that are invariably the most progressive members of any society.’
Radiohead is planning on touring Europe with Mr Tassa but with the war continuing in Gaza, pro-Palestinian activists are calling for their performances to be disrupted.
According to BDS, the tour should be subject to: ‘peaceful, creative pressure’ to force the band to ‘distance itself from this blatant complicity in the crime of crimes, or face grassroots measures’.
The statement by Jonny Greenwood in the wake of calls for Radiohead to be boycotted
Mr Greenwood and Mr Tassa have collaborated for more than a decade together and Radiohead have performed in Israel throughout their career.
The band’s major hit ‘Creep’ became popular in Israel before it took off in Britain and the United States.
Radiohead’s performances in Israel have angered BDS previously in 2017, when the band’s frontman Thom Yorke branded the complaints ‘offensive and patronising.’
After the gig at Yarkon Park, Tel Aviv, the singer toold the crowd: ‘A lot was said about this, but in the end we played some music.’
