No Music for Genocide: “Culture can’t stop bombs on its own, but it can help reject political repression, shift public opinion toward justice, and refuse the art-washing and normalisation of any company or nation that commits crimes against humanity.”
As the genocide in Gaza enacted by Israeli forces enters its third year, the complicity of the music industry in the humanitarian crisis has become an increasingly urgent issue amongst artists. In September, the cultural boycott initiative, ‘No Music for Genocide’ was launched. Formed as a collective of over 400 artists and labels geo-blocking their music from being available to be streamed in Israel, the growing movement has since surpassed 1000 participators, featuring major names like Lorde, Björk, Fontaines D.C., Massive Attack, and King Krule, a selection of entire labels like Bayonet Records and Hyberdub Records, and a large collection of artists from across the Arab world. The resistance movement against Israel’s ongoing ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the political repression of pro-Palestinian protestors across the world is aligned with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) pressure group and influenced by the cultural protest movements of the 1980s against apartheid in South Africa, especially the Artists United Against Apartheid group. It also questions why major labels like Sony and Warner, which swiftly restricted access in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, have not taken the same measures against Israel.
Also in September was the benefit concert ‘Together for Palestine’ held at the OVO Arena Wembley in London on the 17th. The event, organised by musician, producer-extraordinaire, and long-time activist for Palestinian liberation Brian Eno, featured musical performances from the likes of Gorillaz, fronted by Damon Albarn, Pink Pantheress, and Rina Sawayama, among many others. Interspersed were solemn speeches and readings by a host of cultural and political figures, including actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Florence Pugh, journalist Louis Theroux – creator of the influential documentary ‘The Settlers’ that disrupted the BBC’s so-called ‘neutrality’ and catalysed turning tides in UK Parliament – comedian Amelia Dimoldenburg and UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.
At the heart of the event were the voices of Palestinians themselves. Pioneer oud player Adnan Jourban, pop musician Nai Barghoutti, and composer Faraj Suleiman all performed against the backdrop of Artistic Director Malak Mattar’s painted set designs. Journalist and University of Edinburgh graduate Yara Eid deplored the killing of 270 journalists by Israeli forces. Attended by over 12,000 people, 100 per cent of ticket sales and merchandise revenue from the monumental four-hour show raised £1.6 million for Taawon, the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, and the Palestinian Medical Aid Relief Society. In response to the event’s undeniable success, Eno stated, “This [concert] is about more than just money. It’s about sending a message of love and solidarity to the people of Palestine.”
Recently, the Eurovision Song Contest’s stance on Israel, which has performed in the annual competition since 1973, has been the subject of heavy criticism. Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, Iceland, and the Netherlands have all pledged to boycott the annual competition if Israel is allowed to perform. In complete contrast, Germany has threatened refusal to participate if Israel is banned, to which Natalija Gorscak, president of Slovenia’s national broadcasting organisation, RTV, responded: “We are all somehow prisoners of German guilt towards Israel.”
Like ‘No Music for Genocide,’ the aforementioned countries have questioned why the competition organisers have not applied the same action taken against Russia, which has been banned since February 2022, to Israel. Specific artists have also been targets of boycotts. In May, scheduled shows in Bristol and London by Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead and Israeli artist Dudu Tassa, who held a concert for IOF soldiers, were cancelled due to the success of BDS pressure. The duo performed in Tel Aviv as recently as March 2025, and Radiohead last in 2017, much to the condemnation and protest of pro-Palestinian fans and activists.
Music as a tool for collective and unified resistance has a long and rich history and is as important and effective today in the global movement for the freedom of Palestinians from the atrocities of Israel’s terrorist state.
Illustration Courtesy of Ashley James O’Connor (@greenlight.xxvi)
