Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood Speaks Out Against Thom Yorke's Israel Boycott

Greenwood disagrees with Yorke's Israel boycott. As Radiohead tours, protests expected over the band's stance on Israel.

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2025 October 27 . 3:03 AM

1 min read

This image is clicked in a concert. There are four people performing music on the dais. In the... — This image is clicked in a concert. There are four people performing music on the dais. In the middle, the women wearing white dress is singing. To the left and right, the man standing are playing guitars. At the bottom, there is crowd. In the background there is a wall and speakers.

Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood Speaks Out Against Thom Yorke's Israel Boycott

Radiohead's lead guitarist, Jonny Greenwood, has spoken out against Thom Yorke's decision to boycott Israel. This comes after Yorke faced criticism from the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement for performing there in 2017. Yorke's stance has also reignited calls for Israel's exclusion from the Eurovision song contest.

Yorke, Radiohead's lead singer, has been vocal about his support for the Palestinian cause. He left a solo concert in Melbourne after being heckled by a pro-Palestinian protester. Recently, he stated he would 'absolutely not' perform in Israel, citing the Netanyahu regime. However, Greenwood, who has roots in Israel, disagrees with Yorke's decision.

Radiohead's 2017 performance in Tel Aviv sparked controversy. The BDS organisation criticised the band for playing in Israel. Now, with the war in Gaza, calls for Israel's exclusion from the Eurovision contest have intensified. Despite the backlash, Yorke is unconcerned about potential protests during Radiohead's upcoming tour in November and December.

As Radiohead prepares for their first tour in seven years, the band's stance on Israel remains a contentious issue. While Yorke has made his position clear, Greenwood's differing view adds another layer to the debate. The upcoming tour may see protests, but Yorke remains undeterred.