Thom Yorke Clashes with Protester, Jonny Greenwood Sparks Boycott with Israel Collaborations
Thom Yorke, lead singer of Radiohead, recently clashed with a protester during a solo show in Melbourne. The incident, which led to Yorke storming off stage, was followed by a lengthy statement explaining his decision. Meanwhile, Radiohead's guitarist Jonny Greenwood has been collaborating with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa, sparking controversy and cancellations.
The incident in Melbourne was not Yorke's first encounter with controversy over Israel. In 2017, Radiohead performed in Tel Aviv despite protests from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The band faced criticism from various artists, including Roger Waters and Thurston Moore. Yorke later stated that he does not want to be '5,000 miles anywhere near the Netanyahu regime', referring to the then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Yorke has been vocal about his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He has said that Radiohead will 'absolutely not' return to Israel, citing the 'genocide against Palestinians in Gaza'. He also thinks that Netanyahu and his crew are 'totally out of control' and need to be stopped.
Meanwhile, Jonny Greenwood has been working with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa. The two collaborated on the album 'Jarak Qaribak' in 2023 and performed together in Tel Aviv in 2024. However, their planned shows in London for May 2025 were canceled due to credible threats. Greenwood has faced criticism for these collaborations, with protesters calling for a boycott. Yorke has also stated that what BDS are asking of Radiohead is impossible, as it would mean distancing themselves from Greenwood.
Thom Yorke's stance on Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has led to controversy and clashes with protesters. Meanwhile, Jonny Greenwood's collaborations with Israeli musicians have also sparked criticism and cancellations. Despite the controversy, Radiohead's future performances and Yorke's solo shows continue to be highly anticipated.
Read also:
- American teenagers taking up farming roles previously filled by immigrants, a concept revisited from 1965's labor market shift.
- Weekly affairs in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Landslide claims seven lives, injures six individuals while they work to restore a water channel in the northern region of Pakistan
- Escalating conflict in Sudan has prompted the United Nations to announce a critical gender crisis, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the ongoing violence on women and girls.
