Since October 7, numerous columns have been written begging influential politicians to intervene and stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Similarly, there have been pleas to artists not to perform in Israel. This piece challenges that notion, focusing on musicians like Nick Cave and Radiohead who have chosen to play in Tel Aviv despite calls to boycott.
Nick Cave defended his decision to perform in Israel, stating that he didn’t want to be pressured into signing a boycott pledge. He claimed that rejecting the boycott was a stand against censorship and bullying of musicians. However, his reasoning was flawed as he tried to distance himself from the Israeli government while criticizing the BDS movement as anti-Semitic.
Tom Yorke of Radiohead echoed Cave’s sentiments, arguing that music should transcend borders and promote dialogue. However, this argument ignores the suffering of Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli government, which most Israelis support through polls and elections.
Both Cave and Yorke have been called out for their hypocrisy, especially in light of their support for other causes like Ukraine. Their refusal to acknowledge the atrocities committed against Palestinians in Gaza reveals a lack of sincerity in their actions. Ultimately, they can choose to perform in Israel again, but they cannot ignore the complicity of the audience they choose to sing to.