Radiohead, arguably one of the most important rock bands in the world right now, played in Israel last night – at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv.
Radiohead, arguably one of the most important rock bands in the world right now, played in Israel last night – at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv. Interestingly, it was their longest live performance in 11 years, with a total of 27 songs over their set which included two encores.
"A lot of stuff has been said about this, but in the end, we just played some music." Thom Yorke told the crowd
The show, which had been controversial from the get-go, followed months of debate and social media too'ing and froing which included high profile interventions from the pro-boycott musicians Roger Waters and Brian Eno and film director Mike Leigh.
Pro-performance musicians such as Michael Stipe of R.E.M. (a personal friend of Thom Yorke, Radiohead's lead singer), came out in support of the band's decision to play the show with a post on Instagram which read, “Let’s hope a dialogue continues, helping to bring the occupation to an end and lead to a peaceful solution. Sincerely, Michael Stipe.”
In the end though, after all the protests, all the Palestinian flag-waving at the band's headline set at Glastonbury last month, after everything had been said, the band who have been on the right side of so many political flashpoints and campaigns during their career, broke the BDS boycott of Israel, and played Tel Aviv.
Artists for Palestine UK – the group who organised the petition against Radiohead’s concert, released a follow-up statement, saying that Yorke, “once again fails to make any mention of the Palestinians who suffer under Israel’s regime.”
Film director Mike Leigh later released his own personal statement in a critique of Yorke’s defensiveness. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) also took a shot at the band, accusing them of “professing to know better than [Palestinian people], in a classic colonial attitude.”
There have been many responses to the show overnight – one that particularly resonated with us at Amos was this...
Phil Antigua writes:
Yeah, that's right, you just played music in a stolen land, where you've been asked, politely, repeatedly by a gentle, yet invisible people with a huge, military boot on their necks, to recognise their forgotten, lonely and often desperate plight...
You just played some music to those wearing the boots that stamp down in repeated, racist, apartheid vigour – condescending, demeaning and for the few, not for the many...
You just played some music for the gatekeepers, the Wall maintainers and the water/electricity deniers; for the besiegers, not the besieged. The privilege that requires, the entitlement and the lack of acknowledgement of the history, the present and the lack of future...
Of all the people who should ever understand the word 'Just'... Yes, you just played some music.
Today marks two weeks since the hottest day in UK history. Unfortunately, whilst people across the country were doing everything they could to stay cool and hydrated, Northern Uganda has been feeling the effects of extreme weather more severely, with fatal consequences. Fleur Boya speaks to Immaculate Akello.
“The Ukrainian team of eight had not met before the tournament. They may not have been the best team in the world, but they were such huge favourites with everyone as they were so enthusiastic.” As the invasion of Ukraine begins, Amos Director Chris Rose remembers meeting eight of its young people at the inaugural Street Child World Cup.
“Farmers proudly brought some of the fruits and vegetables they had managed to produce this harvest, many of which they had not been able to farm before. One farmer from a community in the Boaco communities proudly showed off his crop of tomatoes, which was a first for him, in such a dry region where they are generally not easy to grow.” Katie Hagley writes about how communities in Teustepe, Nicaragua are beginning to thrive.
It was the year of semi-lockdown’s and no travelling, of virtual fundraising and rebuilding Palestinian homes but not leaving the UK. As we look ahead to 2022, we’re also going to look back at a year of more creative fundraising and appeals, of webinars and COP26, of running and cycling. This is the Amos staff team’s review of 2021.
“Living in Bethlehem and celebrating Christmas in the place where Jesus was born to me is a true blessing, regardless of limitations and challenges faced as a religious minority group.” Farah Masoud and Lara Mitri write about the Orthodox Christmas Eve in Palestine.
Amos Trust
St Clement’s
1 St Clement’s Court
London
EC4N 7HB
United Kingdom
Telephone:
+44 (0) 20 7588 2638
Email:
office@amostrust.org
Registered Charity No.
1164234
This item has been added to your shopping basket. Please click on the Checkout button below where you can choose your quantity.
Continue shopping Checkout Close
