Radiohead to break the BDS picket line
Today, Radiohead will be playing their gig in Tel Aviv in a stadium built on the ruins of three Palestinian villages. The symbolism is stunning. Radiohead’s carefully crafted reputation as a progressive and politically aware band lies in tatters.
A collective of Palestinian activists have been trying for months to speak to Radiohead privately about their show in Israel, despite Thom Yorke’s assertions to the contrary. Ken Loach, Roger Waters, and Dave Randall, friends of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, have also been appealing their better nature. Radiohead fans across the globe have demonstrated their opposition to the gig and respectfully asked them to cancel.
Radiohead chose to lash out instead, ignoring every request to meet and lying about it. Thom Yorke chose to engage in a expletive filled tirade in Rolling Stone about how he felt patronised, and swear at fans who brought Palestinian flags to their concert. He justified the concert on Twitter without once mentioning Palestine at all. They have chosen to completely ignore the Palestinian request, cross the picket line, and normalise apartheid.
Although the concert continues, the BDS movement has been given the crucial oxygen of publicity. Coverage has appeared all over the world with Palestinian voices arguing for boycott, divestment and sanctions. The reasons given? The fifty-year-old occupation of Palestine, the inspiration drawn from South Africa’s anti-apartheid boycott movement, and Palestinian human rights – all this even in the Daily Mail. This marks a turning point.
Our final word to Radiohead? Israeli embassies, diplomats and lobby groups have openly celebrated Radiohead’s decision to defy the cultural boycott of Israel. So have American conservatives including Glenn Beck and Tea Party Patriots co-founder Mark Meckler.
Radiohead, you might not endorse the Israeli government, but it sure endorses you. |
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