Radiohead gig promoted by Israeli diplomatic missions around the world
Radiohead are a band that many had associated with progressive politics. But now it turns out they have an extraordinary following among Israeli diplomats and right-wing conservatives. From US radio host Glenn Beck and Tea Party Patriots co-founder Mark Meckler, a range of around twenty Israel lobby groups, and thirteen Israeli diplomatic missions around the world from Ireland to Colombia, these groups are united in their explicit contempt for the indigenous Palestinian people’s lives.
The Jerusalem Post described Radiohead’s Israel gig and Thom Yorke’s rejection of the Palestinian call for BDS as “the best hasbara [advocacy] Israel has received lately”. Thom Yorke has defended their decision saying that “playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing its government”, but the Israeli government and its supporters certainly do endorse Radiohead.
Palestinian, Israeli and UK artists and activists have repeatedly pointed to the inevitable instrumentalisation of the band’s appearance in Tel Aviv by Israel and its supporters.
Below are samples of government & lobby messaging from June and July.
1. ISRAEL GOVERNMENT & DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS:
The State of Israel’s official twitter channel, Foreign Ministry:
Excited about having the talented bunch of @radiohead here again this evening, with tens of thousands of eager fans. Welcome back! https://t.co/3yLGZS7OlF
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) July 19, 2017
It's an extraordinary waste of energy that could be used in a more positive way – @thomyorke on criticizers of band's upcoming Israel show. https://t.co/mATkxQNcKd
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) June 6, 2017
"Hay un montón de personas que no están de acuerdo con el movimiento BDS, incluyéndonos a nosotros"- Radiohead se niega a boicotear a Israel https://t.co/Bi4zXlwxHO
— Israel en Español (@IsraelinSpanish) June 6, 2017
.@thomyorke of @radiohead defends their decision to play in #Israel: "Music, art & academia is about crossing borders not building them" https://t.co/20cXja5uS1
— Israel in Atlanta (@IsraelAtlanta) July 12, 2017
.@thomyorke of @radiohead defends their decision to play in #Israel: "Music, art & academia is about crossing borders not building them" https://t.co/CPbwBOLWY6
— Israel in New York (@IsraelinNewYork) July 12, 2017
Now reading// Why @radiohead should perform in #Israel https://t.co/2v3w5PgkeQ
— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) July 18, 2017
Arab-Israeli proud to be performing with Radiohead in Tel Aviv. https://t.co/2TQEXH1XiY
— Israel in Ireland (@IsraelinIreland) July 18, 2017
Israel Deputy Consul US:
#MichaelStipe shares message in support of @Radiohead 's #Israel Show https://t.co/YtiqrpdQjb via @billboard
— Guy Gilady (@GuyGilady) July 17, 2017
Israel Ambassador to South Africa:
Good article even if it broadly understates failure of hypocritical Israel-haters. Welcome @radiohead & @thomyorke! https://t.co/6kwiv59TgF
— ארתור לֶנק آرثر لينك (@ArthurLenk) July 17, 2017
I think Thom is clear. "Music, art and academia about… open minds not closed ones…". Tel Aviv is ready for @radiohead. https://t.co/hJ2k5qERrz
— ארתור לֶנק آرثر لينك (@ArthurLenk) July 12, 2017
Consul General of Israel, Boston:
#ShabbatShalom song: Nasrin Qadri, Dudu Tassa w/"Drink fr ur cup & enjoy" warmup 4 Radiohead -next week in #Israel! https://t.co/rMjMNMMFG0
— Yehuda Yaakov (@YehudaYa) July 14, 2017
Israel Ambassador to Colombia:
I have always appreciated @thomyorke and @radiohead for their music. This makes me respect them even more. HT @yiftahc #Radiohead #Israel https://t.co/u03I0qy1Jd
— (((MarcoCSermoneta)))🇮🇱 (@MarcoCSermoneta) June 2, 2017
Diplomat, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
.@radiohead's @thomyorke supports dialogue, culture exchange and speaks against #BDS. see you in #israel🇮🇱☮️ (I already bought my ticket🎫) https://t.co/OKidTa85Op
— Yoav Adler 🇮🇱 (@YoavAdler) June 2, 2017
Spokesperson Embassy of Israel, London:
Ahead of Radiohead's performance in Israel tomorrow; amidst the hatred and the lies; this is worth reading https://t.co/cvwFGQkdDp
— Yiftah Curiel (@yiftahc) July 18, 2017
Consul General of Israel in New York and settler leader:
Radiohead, Britney, Bieber, GunsN'Roses, Nick Cave, Aerosmith, Rod Stewart, Pixies, Cliff Richards & many more this year in Israel. #BDSFAIL
— Dani Dayan (@AmbDaniDayan) July 15, 2017
2. ISRAEL LOBBY GROUPS
Creative Community for Peace:
MUST READ: I'm an Arab. Here's why I'll be performing with @Radiohead in Israel. – @NasreenQadrihttps://t.co/hHyEodpukx
— Creative Community for Peace (@CCFPeace) July 18, 2017
Thank you @thomyorke & @Radiohead for standing up to artistic freedom, and against unfair boycotts. #BridgesNotBoycotts #LetTheMusicPlay
— Creative Community for Peace (@CCFPeace) July 11, 2017
. @radiohead have landed in Israel! 🇮🇱😀 #SorryRoger
— Creative Community for Peace (@CCFPeace) July 18, 2017
Executive Director StandWithUs -#Israel:
Michael Stipe publicly supports @Radiohead's decision to perform in Israel –
Music builds bridges, boycotts divide https://t.co/WvFTrpnNkq— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) July 17, 2017
Spokesman Jewish Agency for Israel, USA:
Friends, Stipe is entitled to his views and criticism of Israeli policy is legit. Let's not get hung up on minutiae. https://t.co/BcP9m5IcZ6
— Avi Mayer אבי מאיר (@AviMayer) July 17, 2017
Former Chief of Staff to PM:
Music in defiance of hatred, violence: @DavidBroza @mirawad and @radiohead's Ed O'Brien celebrate tonight #East_Jerusalem #West_Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/QlYelt00sc
— Gilead Sher (@GileadSher) July 16, 2017
#East_Jerusalem #West_Jerusalem documentary: music across borders, walls, w/ @radiohead Ed O'brien & @DavidBroza. A moment of hope & #peace pic.twitter.com/9NmgzFRoW7
— Gilead Sher (@GileadSher) July 16, 2017
Rejecting boycotting and #BDS, @radiohead confirmed it will perform in #telaviv on July 19@BDSFail #Israel https://t.co/I1ISREzCuG
— Gilead Sher (@GileadSher) June 2, 2017
The Israel Project:
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke: Israel boycotters are “offensive” and “patronizing” https://t.co/obSftUpxgH pic.twitter.com/Ut2wrCnEBz
— Holly Huffnagle (@HHuffnagleAJC) June 12, 2017
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke: Israel boycotters are “offensive” and “patronizing” https://t.co/sxXz6ngq64 pic.twitter.com/IHHY5shluf
— Holly Huffnagle (@HHuffnagleAJC) June 5, 2017
Director, The Israel Project:
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke: Israel Boycotters Are “Offensive” and “Patronizing” https://t.co/R2UQfdXlfO @TheTowerDotOrg
— David Hazony (@davidhazony) June 5, 2017
Exec. Director, Stand With Us:
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke: Israel Boycotters Are “Offensive” and “Patronizing” https://t.co/R2UQfdXlfO @TheTowerDotOrg
— David Hazony (@davidhazony) June 5, 2017
Political adviser. Member of the World Jewish Congress Jewish Diplomatic Corps and the World Zionist Organization Sweden.
Radiohead slams #BDS: BDS efforts to derail our Israel show ‘patronizing in the extreme’ https://t.co/8GDD2X57fK
— Gabriel Rosenberg (@GabRosenberg) June 3, 2017
Co-founder, Adam & Gila Milstein Foundation, Israeli-American Community Advocate
https://twitter.com/AdamMilstein/status/870757266659594240
World Jewish Congress:
Breaking silence for the very 1st time: @thomyorke, lead of @radiohead, has had enough of the anti-Israel boycott: https://t.co/UbUU9eW9Os pic.twitter.com/CMEwm0bXhF
— World Jewish Congress (@WorldJewishCong) June 2, 2017
Associate VP of Israel Engagement CJPIsrael,
Former Director of Speechwriting @ Mission of Israel to UN:
"I'm a Muslim Arab woman. I am a singer. And this Wednesday, I will share the stage with Radiohead in their concert" https://t.co/QLwqu6jhW0
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) July 18, 2017
Head of Israel Counter-Delegitimization Unit @WorldJewishCong.,
Former Head of digital media for the Israel Defense Forces:
Why Radiohead should perform in Israel, writes an Arab playing with the band>> https://t.co/WkEd6VyLOn
— Sacha Roytman (@SachaRoytman) July 18, 2017
Stand With Us:
Radiohead wins ex-R.E.M. singer's Michael Stipe's support for Tel Aviv gig https://t.co/vRMWA9J4Gi
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) July 19, 2017
"I'm Arab & Here's Why @Radiohead & @thomyorke SHOULD Perform in Israel… and I'm Playing With the Band" https://t.co/F2x4SYcnMM
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) July 19, 2017
Israel Action Network:
Excited that Radiohead will be performing in Tel Aviv tomorrow! #BDSFAIL #Israel pic.twitter.com/UiUHGdqgjz
— IsraelActionNetwork (@IsraelActionNet) July 18, 2017
3. US right and far right
Glenn Beck, radio host (US)
Radiohead Frontman Flips off Anti-Israel Protesters https://t.co/sUrQV44jYv pic.twitter.com/gyfWFsRO1V
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) July 10, 2017
Fox Nation:
https://twitter.com/foxnation/status/887675226317877249
Legal Insurrection:
Radiohead Frontman Flips Off Anti-Israel Protesters https://t.co/jM5HKaZN9G via @fuzislippers
— 🐻 Mary Elizabeth ⚾️ #FlyTheW (@marychastain) July 10, 2017
Communism Kills:
https://twitter.com/Communism_Kills/status/887331822513922050
President, Citizens for Self Governance,
Co-Founder and former National Coord. of Tea Party Patriots:
Radiohead Frontman Flips Off Anti-Israel Protesters https://t.co/JI2uhEOnfN
— Mark Meckler (@MarkMeckler) July 10, 2017
Thanks to PACBI for the research.
