Music / massive attack
Massive Attack launch alliance for musicians supporting Palestine
In launching an alliance for musicians speaking out about the war in Gaza, Massive Attack has said “the organised censorship of Palestine and Gaza must end.”
The syndicate, formed with the backing of Brian Eno, Kneecap and Fontaines DC, is designed to support musicians using their platform to “speak out about the genocide occurring” who have been subject to or are concerned about “aggressive, vexatious campaigns” by pro-Israel bodies.
The band names UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) which they claim has been responsible, via legal letters and threats, for intimidating musicians supporting the Palestinian cause into silence.
is needed now More than ever
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The non-profit organisation proclaims to ‘support Israel with legal skills’, with a charity arm set up to ‘advance legal education on Israel and antisemitism and to provide legal support to victims of antisemitism.’
Campaign group Led By Donkeys released a documentary on Thursday which they say exposes the attempted censorship activities of UKLFI and the “weaponisation of antisemitism”.
The musicians involved cite their hearts and conscience in raising awareness of the plight of the Palestinian people and the UK government’s complicity in Israel’s military operation.
They say the alliance will serve to support other artists, particularly those at earlier stages of their careers or in more vulnerable professional positions, who also wish to use their platform to support the Palestinian cause.
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Bobby Vylan, the lead singer of rap-punk duo Bob Vylan which is under legal investigation after the UKLFI reported them for comments made against Israel’s military forces while on stage at Glastonbury, has shown support for the initiative, along with Garbage, Erol Alkan and Paloma Faith who said she has been “shadow banned” for speaking out on the issue.
The UKLFI was also responsible for reporting the BBC for broadcasting Bob Vylan’s performance, reporting Kneecap member Mo Chara to the police for alleged display of a Hezbollah flag and intervening so that a number of the band’s gigs were cancelled.
In the face of legal actions and criticism, including from prime minister Keir Starmer, the artists have consistently responded to state they are not the story, and that they believe the actions against them to be distractions from the real issue of the atrocities the Palestinian people are facing.
Massive Attack has released a fundraiser vinyl EP collaboration with Young Fathers and Fontaines DC for Doctors Without Borders operating in Gaza and the West Bank, available to purchase at: fontainesdc-massiveattack-youngfathers.bandcamp.com/album/ceasefire – photo: Massive Attack
The syndicate is calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, immediate access to Gaza for recognised aid agencies, an end to the “atrocious targeting” of medical and aid workers by the military and an end to UK arms sales to Israel.
Kneecap has simply said: “END threats and censorship against artists who speak out against the genocide in Palestine. Speak out, stand up, we are the majority”.
The UKLFI has said it believes in “free speech and artistic expression”.
Main image: Santi Santih
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