Jonny Greenwood and Dudu Tassa Issue Statement Following Concert Cancellations Due to BDS Campaign
Jonny Greenwood and Dudu Tassa Canceled UK Concerts Amid Controversy of Censorship and BDS Pressure
In a striking move underscored by the tensions shaping the cultural landscape today, Jonny Greenwood, the renowned guitarist of Radiohead, alongside Israeli singer Dudu Tassa, announced the cancellation of their upcoming UK concerts next month. The duo attributed this decision to “censorship and silencing,” a claim that has sparked a renewed debate over artistic freedom and political accountability, particularly amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign has been at the center of the controversy, amplifying voices that accuse Greenwood and Tassa of “artwashing genocide” due to their continued performances in Israel while military operations escalate in Gaza. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) voiced robust support for protests against the duo’s concerts in Bristol and London, demanding accountability and action against perceived complicity.
In a statement shared across social media platforms, Greenwood, Tassa, and their band expressed concerns about threats leading the venues—Bristol Beacon and Hackney Church—to deem it unsafe to proceed with the shows. These claims have raised eyebrows, as PACBI contests that the cancellations resulted from peaceful pressure rather than any substantiated threats. Inquiries into the nature of any purported intimidation have been made to the concert venues by media outlets, including Pitchfork.
“As musicians, we find it alarming that the voices of our audiences and our art are being stifled through intimidation,” the statement reads. “Forcing musicians not to perform and denying people who want to hear them an opportunity to do so is self-evidently a method of censorship.” Greenwood and Tassa argued that such pressure is counterproductive to the pursuit of peace and justice in the Middle East.
The controversy deepened when PACBI released statements framing Greenwood and Tassa’s associations with Israel as more than mere cultural exchange. The duo’s planned concerts come in the wake of a May 2024 show in Tel Aviv—an event that coincided with devastating actions by the IDF against Palestinians. Critics noted that Greenwood’s previous statements regarding BDS overlook the historical context of violence and suffering inflicted on the Palestinian people.
As tensions rise, it’s impossible to ignore that Greenwood and Tassa recently played at Tel Aviv’s Barby club, a venue with a contentious history linked to the Israeli military. This has prompted PACBI to call for a broader boycott of future shows associated with Greenwood unless substantial distance is established from what they term the “artwashing” of Israel’s military actions.
Jarak Qaribak, the album they are currently touring—translated as Your Neighbour Is Your Friend—is framed as a celebration of Arabic love songs and cultural collaboration. Yet, even the intention to showcase the rich diversity of Middle Eastern music has been met with criticism, with fans questioning whether their efforts simply act as a cover for complicity in ongoing injustices.
The artistic duo’s statement portrays a complex intersection of music, politics, and activism: “We dread the weaponization of this cancellation by reactionary figures as much as we lament its celebration by some progressives.” As the debate surrounding their tour continues, it remains clear that the conversation around music, identity, and responsibility will be as resonant as the notes they create.
As the dust settles around this unfolding saga, one thing is certain: the ramifications of artistic expression in politically charged landscapes will continue to echo in concert halls and communities well beyond the venues where these artists hoped to perform.
