Artist News

Thom Yorke responds to calls to cancel Radiohead show in Israel

By | Published on Thursday 13 July 2017

Radiohead

Thom Yorke has responded to increased calls for Radiohead to cancel an upcoming show in Israel. Campaigners want the band to join the ongoing cultural boycott of the country.

The statement follows an article by film director Ken Loach in the Independent, in which he wrote: “I don’t know who is advising Radiohead, but their stubborn refusal to engage with the many critics of their ill-advised concert in Tel Aviv suggests to me that they only want to hear one side – the one that supports apartheid”.

In response to Loach tweeting him a link to the article, Yorke replied: “Playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing the government. We’ve played in Israel for over 20 years through a succession of governments, some more liberal than others. As we have in America. We don’t endorse Netanyahu any more than Trump, but we still play in America”.

He continued: “Music, art and academia is about crossing borders not building them, about open minds not closed ones, about shared humanity, dialogue and freedom of expression. I hope that makes it clear Ken”.

The band are due to play Tel Aviv on 19 Jul.



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