Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood has defended his decision to perform in Israel, stating that music should be above political concerns. The musician, 54, was responding to calls to boycott the band's 2025 tour over their 2017 Tel Aviv concert, which pro-Palestine activists cited in protests.
Greenwood, who is married to Israeli artist Sharona Katan, noted that her nephew served in the Israel Defense Forces and was killed in the Gaza war. Last year, he was due to perform with Israeli singer Dudu Tassa in the UK until the threat of protests led to cancellations.
In an interview with The Times, Greenwood said: 'It’s very hard to talk about this, but I think music and art should be above and beyond political concerns.' He highlighted his album Jarak Qaribak, which involved musicians from Israel, Iraq, Egypt and Syria, asking: 'If I’m supposed to stop working with musicians because I dislike their governments then I wouldn’t work with any of them.'
Greenwood's comments contrast with those of bandmate Thom Yorke, who issued a statement last year branding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an 'extremist' who 'needs to be stopped'. Yorke also told The Sunday Times in October 2025 that he would 'absolutely not' perform in Israel now.
On the possibility of a new Radiohead album, Greenwood said he had 'no idea', adding that venues for another tour would need to be booked 18 months in advance. He is nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Score for the film One Battle After Another.
