Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke Describes Criticism Over Israel Performance as a “Witch-Hunt”
Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has revealed the backlash to the band’s 2018 performance in Tel Aviv, Israel, continues to deeply affect him, describing the criticism as a “witch-hunt” that “wakes me up at night.” The renewed discussion comes as the band prepares for a European tour beginning November 4, their first live shows as 2018, and highlights the ongoing debate surrounding artists performing in Israel amidst the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The controversy centers on the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for boycotts of Israeli cultural and academic institutions as a form of political pressure. Radiohead’s decision to play in Tel Aviv drew condemnation from activists, including Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, who urged the band to cancel the show. The internal fallout from the decision has also resurfaced, revealing a important rift within the band itself.
Guitarist Ed O’Brien expressed regret that the band did not also play Ramallah in the West Bank, while drummer Philip Selway stated that the BDS movement’s request to distance themselves from Jonny Greenwood was “unachievable,” arguing it would effectively end the band. Selway also noted the band felt “ostracised by artists we generally felt quite aligned to.”
Yorke has consistently defended the decision to perform in Israel, stating in the past, “Playing a country isn’t the same as endorsing its government. We don’t endorse Netanyahu any more than Trump.” He maintains this position, but the emotional toll of the ongoing debate is clearly significant.
Radiohead’s upcoming tour includes dates in Madrid, Bologna, London’s O2, Copenhagen, and Berlin, concluding december 12. Tickets for the tour sold out rapidly in September, prompting the band to release additional “unlock codes” to access remaining tickets. Their most recent performance was on august 1, 2018, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, marking the end of their ‘A moon Shaped Pool’ tour supporting their 2017 album of the same name – an album the band has yet to follow up with new material.
