Eight years after the controversial Radiohead concert in Tel Aviv, singer Thom Yorke has reconsidered his position and no longer wants to perform in Israel while Benjamin Netanyahu is in power. However, his friend Jonny Greenwood has a different opinion.
• Also read: Radiohead singer Thom Yorke attacked during concert in Gaza Strip
Only crazy people don't change their minds. Although he said in 2017 that “playing in a country is not supporting its government,” Thom Yorke has just mentioned that he partly regrets performing in Tel Aviv, a gesture that has sparked outrage among pro-Palestinian activists.
In a new interview given to Sunday Times MagazineDays before Radiohead's first tour in more than seven years, Yorke said he didn't want to be “5,000 miles away from the Netanyahu regime.”
York is terrified
This stance contrasts with the band's visit to Tel Aviv eight years ago to tour the album. Moon shaped poolwhich led to calls for a boycott and public criticism from several figures.
“We’ve been playing in Israel for over 20 years under different governments, some more liberal than others,” York said at the time. Like we do in America. We don't support Netanyahu any more than Trump, but we still play in America.”
Ay Sunday Times MagazineYork said he was “horrified” when an apparently senior Israeli came to their hotel to thank them for playing that time.
Greenwood disagrees
In recent years, Radiohead's political stance on Israel has followed the band around the world. Last year, during a solo concert in Australia, Thom Yorke briefly left the stage after a pro-Palestinian audience member shouted: “How many dead children do you need to condemn the genocide in Gaza?”
It remains to be seen whether the recent change of direction will bother guitarist Jonny Greenwood, who is married to an Israeli and has a long history with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa. Greenwood is a member of the bands Radiohead and The Smile with Thom Yorke.
The guitarist told Sunday Times that he “disagreed, but politely” with York.
The guitarist added that the only thing he's ashamed of is that he “practised.” [ses] bandmates in this mess. He then clarified: “But I'm not ashamed to work with Arab and Jewish musicians. I can't apologize for that.”
