Radiohead’s Thom Yorke Declares Boycott of ‘Israel’ Under Netanyahu’s Rule
Thom Yorke: “I Wouldn’t Want to Be Anywhere Near the Netanyahu Regime”
Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has made a bold political statement, confirming he will not perform in ‘Israel’ again while Benjamin Netanyahu’s government remains in power.
In his interview with The Sunday Times Magazine, Yorke said firmly:
“Absolutely not. I wouldn’t want to be 5,000 miles anywhere near the Netanyahu regime.”
This marks a significant shift from the band’s 2017 performance in Tel Aviv, which was criticized by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Regret Over Tel Aviv Show
Yorke now admits he regrets that performance, saying he felt “horrified” when a senior ‘Israeli’ official thanked him afterward — realizing that “the gig was being hijacked for political purposes.”
His stance has become stronger since Israel’s ongoing aggression on Gaza, describing Netanyahu’s government as “extremist” and saying they “need to be stopped.”
Rift Inside Radiohead Over the Boycott
The issue has caused internal tension within the band. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood, whose wife is ‘Israeli,’ opposes boycotts, claiming they “only strengthen the government.”
Yorke, however, reportedly clashed with him, saying:
“You’re whitewashing genocide, mate.”
Drummer Phil Selway described the situation as “painful,” explaining that what BDS asks “is almost impossible, because it would mean distancing ourselves from Jonny — and that would mean ending the band.”
A Renewed Debate on Music and Morality
Yorke’s declaration reignites global debate over artists’ responsibility in times of injustice — and whether neutrality is even possible amid Israel’s war on Gaza.
