Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has stated he would not perform in Israel under the current government, eight years after the band faced backlash for playing in Tel Aviv. In an interview with the Sunday Times magazine, Yorke said, 'Absolutely not. I wouldn’t want to be 5,000 miles anywhere near the Netanyahu regime,' referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration.
The interview took place before the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Radiohead is set to begin their first tour in seven years next month, with 20 shows across five European cities. Before the dates were confirmed, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel called for a boycott of the tour due to band member Jonny Greenwood’s performance in Tel Aviv in 2024.
Radiohead’s 2016-2018 tour sparked controversy when they performed in Tel Aviv despite boycott calls and criticism from figures like British director Ken Loach. At the time, Yorke defended the decision, stating, 'Playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing the government.' However, he now hints at regret, saying he was 'horrified' when an Israeli official thanked them for playing.
Yorke has previously criticised the BDS movement but expressed shock after a pro-Palestinian heckler confronted him during a solo gig in Australia last year. He called Netanyahu and his administration 'extremists' who 'need to be stopped.' Greenwood, who is married to an Israeli artist, has faced criticism for his collaborations with Israeli musicians but joined protests calling for Netanyahu’s removal in 2024.
