Latest news with #MassiveAttack
The National
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Garbage join artists opposing pro-Palestine censorship
The group, known as Ethical Syndicate Palestine, was launched by the band Massive Attack in response to what they claim is a coordinated campaign to silence artists speaking out against the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Alongside Garbage, other acts signed up to the initiative include Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap, Brian Eno and a number of other musicians and producers who have voiced solidarity with Palestine. READ MORE: 55 arrested in Westminster as protests grow over Palestine Action ban The announcement comes in the wake of a new documentary released by campaigning group Led By Donkeys, which exposes the activities of UK Lawyers for Israel Ltd (UKLFI). According to the film, the group has used legal and institutional pressure to silence pro-Palestine activism, particularly in the arts and cultural sectors. Led By Donkeys stated: 'UK Lawyers for Israel Ltd has tried to silence various voices supporting Palestine. Their charitable wing has made public statements rejecting international law.' In a statement shared on Instagram, Massive Attack wrote: 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry ... and legally via organised bodies such as UKLFI.' They described the situation in Gaza as having 'moved beyond description,' and called on the wider music community to support younger, more vulnerable artists who may feel unable to speak out. The group urged those impacted to contact the Ethical Syndicate Palestine directly. Led By Donkeys added: 'The weaponisation of antisemitism ... not only hurts civil liberties and human rights, it also damages the real fight against antisemitism.' The crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices in UK music has escalated in recent months. Bob Vylan were dropped by their agents and investigated by police after chanting 'death to the IDF' at Glastonbury. READ MORE: RECAP: Activists defy Labour with illegal pro-Palestine T-shirts at Edinburgh demo Meanwhile, Kneecap member Liam Ó hAnnaidh, AKA Mo Chara, is facing prosecution under the Terrorism Act after allegedly holding a Hezbollah flag on stage. Despite mounting pressures, more musicians – many previously seen as apolitical – are breaking their silence. In May, Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds raised a Palestinian flag during a concert in Milan, joining a chorus of international dissent.
Roya News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Roya News
British band forms alliance of musicians to advocate for Gaza
A new alliance of prominent UK and Irish musicians, spearheaded by Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Kneecap, and Fontaines D.C., publicly announced its formation. This collective aims to combat what its members describe as "aggressive, vexatious campaigns" of censorship within the music industry, particularly targeting artists who speak out against 'Israel's' ongoing genocide in Gaza. The alliance emphasizes that the situation in Gaza has 'moved beyond description'. The alliance's core mission is to protect artists from "threats into silence or career cancellation" and encourages vulnerable artists to contact them for support. They have outlined concrete demands, including an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, immediate and unfettered access for recognized aid agencies, an end to the 'atrocious targeting' of medical and aid workers, and a cessation of UK arms sales and licenses to 'Israel'. Censorship Campaigns and Recent Incidents The alliance directly addresses "aggressive, vexatious campaigns" and "intimidation tactics" experienced by artists who voice opinions on Palestine. They explicitly name UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) as instrumental in orchestrating these campaigns, including legal threats and reports to law enforcement. The campaign group Led By Donkeys released a documentary on July 17, claiming to expose UKLFI's "attempted censorship activities" and the "weaponisation of antisemitism". The formation of this alliance was directly spurred by several recent, high-profile controversies: Bob Vylan: At the Glastonbury festival, the UK punk-rap duo chanted "Free, free Palestine" and "Death to the IDF." The BBC issued an apology, police initiated a criminal investigation, their agent terminated their contract, and the US Deputy Secretary of State announced a US travel ban. Bob Vylan denied accusations of hate speech, calling the backlash a "distraction" from "the slaughter of innocents" in Gaza. Kneecap: The Irish hip-hop trio gained global attention in May 2025 after projecting "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people" at the Coachella festival. They faced a "global political and media witch-hunt," leading to concert cancellations and a terrorism charge against a member for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag. However, on July 18, 2025, Avon and Somerset Police announced they were dropping the criminal investigation into Kneecap due to "insufficient evidence". An open letter titled "Artists Say No to Censorship," circulated by Kneecap's record label, garnered widespread support from over 100 US, British, and Irish bands, musicians, and DJs, including Christy Moore, Dexys, Fontaines D.C., Leftfield, Massive Attack, Mogwai, Orbital, Paul Weller, Primal Scream, Brian Eno, Paloma Faith, Kae Tempest, and Tom Morello. Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, asserted that Massive Attack had "launched an attack on our organization, which helps to protect victims of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel racism". UKLFI confirmed reporting Bob Vylan and Kneecap to the police and warning venues about "risks". Massive Attack countered that their visuals were part of a larger collage and taken out of context.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Kneecap and Brian Eno call on artists to join syndicate to support Palestine
They, along with campaign group Led By Donkeys, have all posted the same message on Instagram, calling on other artists who fear they will be 'threatened into silence or career cancellation' for talking about Palestine to join them in a syndicate. Massive Attack and Brian Eno have long spoken out in support of Palestine, while Kneecap have made headlines in recent months after one of their members was charged with a terrorism offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. The Irish rap group claim this is part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. 'The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description,' the post read. 'We write as artists who've chosen to use our public platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring there and the role of the UK Government in facilitating it. 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry (live and recorded) and legally via organised bodies such as UK Lawyers For Israel. 'Having withstood these campaigns of attempted censorship, we won't stand by and allow other artists – particularly those at earlier stages of their careers or in other positions of professional vulnerability – to be threatened into silence or career cancellation. 'In this spirit, we encourage artists who've been placed in this position, or those who now wish to use their platforms to talk about Palestine, but are concerned about industrial repercussions, to contact us @ ethicalsyndicatepalestine@ The Instagram post also made a series of demands, including an immediate ceasefire, an end to UK arms sales and licences to Israel, and a free Palestine. A spokeswoman for UK Lawyers For Israel (UKLFI) accused Massive Attack of having 'launched an attack on our organisation, which helps to protect victims of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel racism'. She said that following Massive Attack's set at London's Lido Festival in June, 'we were contacted by several Jewish and Israeli audience members who were deeply distressed and traumatised' after the act invited an 'anti-Israel activist' on stage. Kneecap performed to a sea of Palestinian flags during their set at Glastonbury Festival in June. Their performance followed that of punk rap duo Bob Vylan, who spoke out against Israel. Police have since launched an investigation into the group, formed in Ipswich in 2017, after their frontman led crowds in chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' during their set at the Somerset music festival. Kneecap's Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May, and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 20.
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Kneecap and Brian Eno call on artists to join syndicate to support Palestine
They, along with campaign group Led By Donkeys, have all posted the same message on Instagram, calling on other artists who fear they will be 'threatened into silence or career cancellation' for talking about Palestine to join them in a syndicate. Massive Attack and Brian Eno have long spoken out in support of Palestine, while Kneecap have made headlines in recent months after one of their members was charged with a terrorism offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. The Irish rap group claim this is part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. 'The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description,' the post read. 'We write as artists who've chosen to use our public platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring there and the role of the UK Government in facilitating it. 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry (live and recorded) and legally via organised bodies such as UK Lawyers For Israel. 'Having withstood these campaigns of attempted censorship, we won't stand by and allow other artists – particularly those at earlier stages of their careers or in other positions of professional vulnerability – to be threatened into silence or career cancellation. 'In this spirit, we encourage artists who've been placed in this position, or those who now wish to use their platforms to talk about Palestine, but are concerned about industrial repercussions, to contact us @ ethicalsyndicatepalestine@ The Instagram post also made a series of demands, including an immediate ceasefire, an end to UK arms sales and licences to Israel, and a free Palestine. A spokeswoman for UK Lawyers For Israel (UKLFI) accused Massive Attack of having 'launched an attack on our organisation, which helps to protect victims of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel racism'. She said that following Massive Attack's set at London's Lido Festival in June, 'we were contacted by several Jewish and Israeli audience members who were deeply distressed and traumatised' after the act invited an 'anti-Israel activist' on stage. Kneecap performed to a sea of Palestinian flags during their set at Glastonbury Festival in June. Their performance followed that of punk rap duo Bob Vylan, who spoke out against Israel. Police have since launched an investigation into the group, formed in Ipswich in 2017, after their frontman led crowds in chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' during their set at the Somerset music festival. Kneecap's Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May, and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 20.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Kneecap and Brian Eno call on artists to join syndicate to support Palestine
They, along with campaign group Led By Donkeys, have all posted the same message on Instagram, calling on other artists who fear they will be 'threatened into silence or career cancellation' for talking about Palestine to join them in a syndicate. Massive Attack and Brian Eno have long spoken out in support of Palestine, while Kneecap have made headlines in recent months after one of their members was charged with a terrorism offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. The Irish rap group claim this is part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. 'The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description,' the post read. 'We write as artists who've chosen to use our public platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring there and the role of the UK Government in facilitating it. 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry (live and recorded) and legally via organised bodies such as UK Lawyers For Israel. 'Having withstood these campaigns of attempted censorship, we won't stand by and allow other artists – particularly those at earlier stages of their careers or in other positions of professional vulnerability – to be threatened into silence or career cancellation. 'In this spirit, we encourage artists who've been placed in this position, or those who now wish to use their platforms to talk about Palestine, but are concerned about industrial repercussions, to contact us @ ethicalsyndicatepalestine@ The Instagram post also made a series of demands, including an immediate ceasefire, an end to UK arms sales and licences to Israel, and a free Palestine. A spokeswoman for UK Lawyers For Israel (UKLFI) accused Massive Attack of having 'launched an attack on our organisation, which helps to protect victims of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel racism'. She said that following Massive Attack's set at London's Lido Festival in June, 'we were contacted by several Jewish and Israeli audience members who were deeply distressed and traumatised' after the act invited an 'anti-Israel activist' on stage. Kneecap performed to a sea of Palestinian flags during their set at Glastonbury Festival in June. Their performance followed that of punk rap duo Bob Vylan, who spoke out against Israel. Police have since launched an investigation into the group, formed in Ipswich in 2017, after their frontman led crowds in chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' during their set at the Somerset music festival. Kneecap's Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May, and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 20.
