Radiohead Frontman Thom Yorke Vows Never to Perform in Israel Again
In a stark reversal of his band's past performances, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has declared that he would "absolutely not" set foot in Israel again, citing the current government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Yorke made this statement during an interview with the Sunday Times magazine, highlighting his strong stance against the Netanyahu regime. The musician has long been a vocal critic of Israeli policies, particularly those affecting Palestinians.
The band's decision to perform in Tel Aviv in 2017 sparked widespread protests and criticism from pro-Palestinian activists. Yorke himself has faced intense scrutiny for this choice, with some accusing him of tacitly endorsing the government.
In hindsight, Yorke admitted that he was "horrified" when an Israeli supporter showed up at his hotel to thank Radiohead for their performance. This experience has left a lasting impression on him, leading to his current stance against performing in Israel.
Radiohead's 2016-2018 world tour sparked controversy over the band's decision to play in Tel Aviv, with some critics accusing them of hypocrisy. Yorke responded at the time by stating that playing in a country does not necessarily mean endorsing its government.
However, Yorke has since criticized the pro-Palestinian boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, calling it "patronising" and "offensive". This stance has further complicated his relationship with fans and fellow musicians who support the BDS movement.
The band's guitarist, Jonny Greenwood, is married to an Israeli artist and has been involved in various collaborations with Israeli musicians. While Greenwood has faced criticism from boycott advocates for these associations, he remains a vocal supporter of Radiohead's music and message.
With Radiohead set to embark on their first tour in seven years next month, Yorke's statement offers a clear indication of where the band stands on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The decision to boycott the tour has been called by pro-Palestinian activists, who argue that supporting Israel through music and commerce undermines their efforts for justice.
As Radiohead prepares to take the stage again, it remains to be seen how Yorke's stance will impact the band's legacy and message. One thing is certain, however: Thom Yorke has solidified his position as a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights and a fierce critic of Israeli policies.
In a stark reversal of his band's past performances, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has declared that he would "absolutely not" set foot in Israel again, citing the current government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Yorke made this statement during an interview with the Sunday Times magazine, highlighting his strong stance against the Netanyahu regime. The musician has long been a vocal critic of Israeli policies, particularly those affecting Palestinians.
The band's decision to perform in Tel Aviv in 2017 sparked widespread protests and criticism from pro-Palestinian activists. Yorke himself has faced intense scrutiny for this choice, with some accusing him of tacitly endorsing the government.
In hindsight, Yorke admitted that he was "horrified" when an Israeli supporter showed up at his hotel to thank Radiohead for their performance. This experience has left a lasting impression on him, leading to his current stance against performing in Israel.
Radiohead's 2016-2018 world tour sparked controversy over the band's decision to play in Tel Aviv, with some critics accusing them of hypocrisy. Yorke responded at the time by stating that playing in a country does not necessarily mean endorsing its government.
However, Yorke has since criticized the pro-Palestinian boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, calling it "patronising" and "offensive". This stance has further complicated his relationship with fans and fellow musicians who support the BDS movement.
The band's guitarist, Jonny Greenwood, is married to an Israeli artist and has been involved in various collaborations with Israeli musicians. While Greenwood has faced criticism from boycott advocates for these associations, he remains a vocal supporter of Radiohead's music and message.
With Radiohead set to embark on their first tour in seven years next month, Yorke's statement offers a clear indication of where the band stands on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The decision to boycott the tour has been called by pro-Palestinian activists, who argue that supporting Israel through music and commerce undermines their efforts for justice.
As Radiohead prepares to take the stage again, it remains to be seen how Yorke's stance will impact the band's legacy and message. One thing is certain, however: Thom Yorke has solidified his position as a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights and a fierce critic of Israeli policies.
I mean, who would've thought that a musician would actually stand up for what's right instead of just playing both sides? he's got guts to be honest, even if it means losing some fans. i get why jonny might wanna stay friends with his wife and all, but when it comes down to it, thom's gotta do what's good for the cause 
and if that means not performing in israel again, so be it! at least he's not just gonna sell out like some other bands i know 
. and i also cant help but think that jonny greenwoods marriage to an israeli artist kinda makes his criticism of the BDS movement seem hypocritical, but maybe hes just trying to balance his personal life with his bandmates values? 
. i think its great that he's using his platform to speak out against the netanyahu regime and advocate for palestinian rights, even if it means ruffling some feathers 
.
. either way, i think its awesome that he's still speaking truth to power and wont be silenced by criticism or backlash 
... wait, nope! I mean, I kind of get why he would feel that way, but at the same time, I think it's gonna hurt some fans who were already on edge about his past performances 
. I'm all for criticizing Netanyahu and Israeli policies, but sometimes I think we gotta be careful not to alienate people who are just trying to support Palestinian rights in any way they can 
. Thom Yorke has been vocal about his criticism of Israeli policies for years, so it's not like he's just speaking out now. It's all about being true to himself and his values 
.
. The pro-Palestinian movement might call them hypocrites, but I don't think they're being fake or inconsistent – they just have a different perspective 
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. It's clear that Radiohead is more than just a band – they're a symbol of resistance against oppression and a beacon of hope for change 
.
anyway, gotta respect Thom for being so clear about where he stands on this stuff. 
but then again, i don't know all the ins and outs of it. can someone pls provide some context or sources on this?
. I mean, one minute he's playing in Tel Aviv and getting flak from fans and the other he's like "never again" - what's good? It feels like he's trying to be some kinda martyr or somethin 
.
they did a tour in Israel like 10 yrs ago & now it's all about boycottin the new tour cuz of his anti-Netanyahu stance lol but honestly, can't blame him 
but at the same time, the pro-Palestine ppl r gettin a lil too aggressive with their BDS movement, like chill out pls 
.
. maybe it's time for Jonny Greenwood to reevaluate his relationships with Israeli artists too... just saying 
? only time will tell... 
. It's like, you can't just perform in someone else's country without being judged on it, but at the same time, you don't want to be seen as a hypocrite either 
. But hey, if they're gonna boycott the tour, I reckon they'll be doing it for all the right reasons 
. I think this decision will have huge implications for the band's legacy, but at the end of the day, it's Thom's voice and his message that matter most 
.
... i mean, i get it, politics is complex and all that, but come on, thom yorke has been pretty vocal about his distaste for the netanyahu regime for years now. doesn't need to put on a show to prove a point. plus, it's like, what's next? playing in north korea or somalia just to appease some fans? 
and don't even get me started on jonny greenwood's wife being an israeli artist... just another way to whitewash the issues, right?