Latest news with #UKLFI
Egypt Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Egypt Independent
Massive Attack, Brian Eno among UK and Irish musicians banding together to speak out on Israel's war in Gaza
CNN — A group of musicians from the United Kingdom and Ireland say they have formed a syndicate to advocate for artists speaking out against Israel's war in Gaza and the role of foreign governments in funding it. 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry' and 'legally via organised bodies such as UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI),' read a social media post by the band Massive Attack, a version of which has been shared by Kneecap and Fontaines D.C., as well as musician and producer Brian Eno. The musicians said they are aware of 'aggressive, vexatious campaigns operated by UKLFI and of multiple individual incidences of intimidation within the music industry itself' designed to censor and silence artists. Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, said in a statement to CNN Friday: 'Massive Attack has launched an attack on our organization, which helps to protect victims of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel racism.' 'Unfortunately, antisemitism has become an everyday part of life in the UK, and those trying to protect its victims are now subject to vicious attacks by the perpetrators,' Turner added. The posts come after Northern Irish rappers Kneecap and the British rap-punk duo Bob Vylan drew criticism for their pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel rhetoric. Both faced police investigations for their performances at Glastonbury music festival, following reports by UKLFI. Avon and Somerset Police said Friday that it was dropping its criminal investigation into Kneecap, saying there was 'insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence.' Police are still investigating Bob Vylan's comments at the festival. UKLFI said it reported a singer in Bob Vylan to the police for chanting 'Death to the IDF' during their Glastonbury set, referring to the Israeli military. It also reported UK public broadcaster the BBC for showing the set. The BBC later called Bob Vylan's performance 'antisemitic' and said it should not have been broadcast. A member of Kneecap, which has been a vocal critic of Israel and the war in Gaza, was charged with a terrorism offense last month for allegedly displaying a flag 'in support of Hezbollah,' according to London police, following a report by UKLFI. UK counterterrorism police said they were investigating the group after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for British politicians to be killed and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah,' in apparent support for the militant groups from Gaza and Lebanon, respectively, both enemies of Israel. Kneecap has previously said it has never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and that the footage circulating online has been 'deliberately taken out of all context' as part of a 'smear campaign' following their criticism of Israel and the United States over the former's 20-month war in Gaza. Both Bob Vylan and Kneecap have faced widespread gig cancellations. UKLFI said it had written to the UK venues where Kneecap was due to perform this summer and warned them 'of the risks of allowing them to perform.' The US State Department banned Bob Vylan from performing in the US. In their joint social media posts, the musicians in the newly-formed alliance encouraged other artists who wish to speak up but are afraid of repercussions to contact them. 'The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description,' said the post announcing the formation of the syndicate, which calls for a ceasefire; the 'immediate, unfettered access' of aid to Gaza; the end of UK arms sales to Israel; and other measures. '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.' The English singer Paloma Faith lent her support on the post shared by Kneecap. 'Keep going everyone it's going to eventually change! Hang in there,' she wrote in a comment via her verified account on Instagram.
Roya News
5 days 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.
Middle East Eye
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Middle East Eye
Massive Attack, Kneecap and others form musician alliance against 'silencing' by pro-Israel groups
British band Massive Attack have announced an alliance of musicians to take on "intimidation" by pro-Israel groups within the music industry. Acts including Kneecap, Brian Eno, and Garbage have signed up for the group, which was announced on the back of a documentary by campaign group Led By Donkeys about the work of a pro-Israel group that is silencing activism on the situation in Palestine. According to Led By Donkeys: "UK Lawyers for Israel Ltd [UKLFI] has tried to silence various voices supporting Palestine. Their charitable wing has made public statements rejecting international law." In a statement put out on Instagram on Thursday evening, Massive Attack said intimidation of pro-Palestine artists within the music industry had been organised by UKLFI. "The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description. 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," Massive Attack wrote. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry (live & recorded) & legally via organised bodies such as UKLFI; whose range of activities has now finally been exposed in a new documentary film projected last night by the Led By Donkeys collective," the statement continued. The band said it was especially important for the music industry to act to protect emerging artists from intimidation. They called on those impacted by UKLFI's work to get in touch with the new alliance, labeled: "Ethical Syndicate Palestine". Led By Donkeys published its own statement alongside its documentary, which said: "The weaponisation of antisemitism is not only an egregious attack on Palestine advocacy, civil liberties [and] human rights - it also hurts the fight against antisemitism. "It makes it harder for us to identify true antisemitism when it happens [and] creates scepticism about whether anti-Jewish racism even still exists, or is just a political tool.' 'Political policing' There have been a number of controversies involving pro-Palestine artists in the UK in the past few months. In late June, duo Bob Vylan faced calls for prosecution and were dropped by their agents after leading chants of 'death to the IDF' at the Glastonbury music festival. The incident caused outrage amongst the British media and political establishment and was the subject of an investigation by Avon and Somerset police. Social media points fingers back at institutions punishing Bob Vylan for Glastonbury set Read More » Manchester's Radar Festival cancelled a performance by the pair but organisers said that the decision was out of their hands. The band also had shows cancelled in Europe and their visas for a US tour cancelled in response to the furore. Elsewhere, Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly holding a Hezbollah flag during a performance in London in November last year. Kneecap published a statement addressing the case, which said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. "This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is." Increasing numbers of musicians are making gestures and statements in support of Palestine and against ongoing Israeli atrocities in Gaza. That includes bands once considered relatively apolitical. In May, Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds raised the Palestinian flag during the band's performance in Milan, Italy.
CNN
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Massive Attack, Brian Eno among UK and Irish musicians banding together to speak out on Israel's war in Gaza
A group of musicians from the United Kingdom and Ireland say they have formed a syndicate to advocate for artists speaking out against Israel's war in Gaza and the role of foreign governments in funding it. 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry' and 'legally via organised bodies such as UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI),' read a social media post by the band Massive Attack, a version of which has been shared by Kneecap and Fontaines D.C., as well as musician and producer Brian Eno. The musicians said they are aware of 'aggressive, vexatious campaigns operated by UKLFI and of multiple individual incidences of intimidation within the music industry itself' designed to censor and silence artists. CNN has reached out to UKLFI for comment. The posts come after Northern Irish rappers Kneecap and the British rap-punk duo Bob Vylan drew criticism for their pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel rhetoric. Both are facing police investigations for their performances at Glastonbury music festival, following reports by UKLFI. UKLFI said it reported a singer in Bob Vylan to the police for chanting 'Death to the IDF' during their Glastonbury set, referring to the Israeli military. It also reported UK public broadcaster the BBC for showing the set. The BBC later called Bob Vylan's performance 'antisemitic' and said it should not have been broadcast. A member of Kneecap, which has been a vocal critic of Israel and the war in Gaza, was charged with a terrorism offense last month for allegedly displaying a flag 'in support of Hezbollah,' according to London police, following a report by UKLFI. UK counterterrorism police said they were investigating the group after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for British politicians to be killed and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah,' in apparent support for the militant groups from Gaza and Lebanon, respectively, both enemies of Israel. Kneecap has previously said it has never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and that the footage circulating online has been 'deliberately taken out of all context' as part of a 'smear campaign' following their criticism of Israel and the United States over the former's 20-month war in Gaza. Both Bob Vylan and Kneecap have faced widespread gig cancellations. UKLFI said it had written to the UK venues where Kneecap was due to perform this summer and warned them 'of the risks of allowing them to perform.' The US State Department banned Bob Vylan from performing in the US. In their joint social media posts, the musicians in the newly-formed alliance encouraged other artists who wish to speak up but are afraid of repercussions to contact them. 'The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description,' said the post announcing the formation of the syndicate, which calls for a ceasefire; the 'immediate, unfettered access' of aid to Gaza; the end of UK arms sales to Israel; and other measures. '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.' The English singer Paloma Faith lent her support on the post shared by Kneecap. 'Keep going everyone it's going to eventually change! Hang in there,' she wrote in a comment via her verified account on Instagram.
The National
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Massive Attack and Brian Eno launch syndicate for artists speaking out against Israel's attack on Gaza
British band Massive Attack, and composer and producer Brian Eno are among the musicians who have formed a syndicate to protect artists who are protesting against Israel's attack on Gaza. 'The organised censorship of Palestine and Gaza must end,' they wrote in an Instagram announcement, posted by the official Massive Attack account. The alliance of musicians, which also includes Irish bands Fontaines DC and Kneecap, aims to protect artists – especially emerging names – from being 'threatened into silence or career cancellation' by groups such as UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI). The formation of the syndicate comes after several musicians have been legally targeted for their support of Palestine and for speaking out against Israel's continuing attack on Gaza. The UKLFI reported Bob Vylan to the police after the punk-rap duo led a chant against the Israeli military during their performance at Glastonbury Festival in June. Singer Bobby Vylan chanted 'death, death to the IDF', referring to the Israel army, and called for the liberation of Palestine. The duo have since had several scheduled performances cancelled. Kneecap's Mo Chara was also charged with a terrorism offence after being reported by the UKLFI for displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah during a London performance. Subsequent concerts by the hip-hop group were also cancelled. Posts shared by Massive Attack and Eno read: 'The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description. 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. 'We're aware of the scale of aggressive, vexatious campaigns operated by UKLFI and of multiple individual incidences of intimidation within the music industry itself, designed solely to censor and silence artists from speaking their hearts and minds. '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.' The syndicate is rallying artists to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as well as 'unfettered access' for international aid agencies into the Palestinian enclave. They are also calling for the 'end of the atrocious targeting of medical and aid workers', as well as 'an end to the UK arms sales and licences to Israel'. The post further reads: 'If you've felt anxious about speaking out before but feel it's too late, it isn't. It's never too late to join this movement. Everyone is welcome.' The syndicate is also highlighting a documentary film about the actions of the UKLFI screened by the British political campaign group Led By Donkeys. 'UK Lawyers for Israel Ltd has tried to silence various voices supporting Palestine,' the group said in a post on Instagram. 'Their charitable wing has made public statements rejecting international law.'
