Radiohead Frontman Thom Yorke Announces Band Will No Longer Perform in Israel
JERUSALEM – Thom Yorke, lead singer of the acclaimed rock band Radiohead, announced the group will no longer perform in Israel, citing the ongoing conflict adn recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The decision follows years of scrutiny and pressure regarding the band’s performances in the country, and Yorke’s own complex relationship with the political situation.
Yorke has previously participated in protests within Israel calling for the removal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and has been publicly critical of the leader. However, he has also consistently maintained that performing in a country should not be interpreted as endorsement of its government, stating in 2017 via X (formerly Twitter), ”We’ve played in Israel for over 20 years through a succession of governments… We don’t endorse Netanyahu any more than Trump, but we still play in America.”
The band has faced increasing backlash from activists who accuse them of complicity in the conflict and have called for boycotts. Yorke recently described the pressure as deeply affecting, stating, “This wakes me up at night… They’re telling me what it is that I’ve done with my life, and what I should do next, and that what I think is meaningless.” He added, “People want to take what I’ve done that means so much to millions of people and wipe me out. But this is not theirs to take from me-and I don’t consider I’m a bad person.”
This decision comes after an incident last year in Australia where Yorke was heckled during a solo performance by an audience member questioning his silence on the death toll in Gaza. Yorke briefly left the stage in response before returning to finish the show.
Radiohead has performed in Israel for over two decades, navigating criticism with the argument that artistic engagement should not equate to political endorsement. This latest announcement signals a shift in the band’s position amid the escalating conflict and heightened global awareness.
