There are increasingly numerous positions against what is called the genocidal campaign of Israel against the Palestinian people. “Free Palestine” choirs feel everywhere. However, various forces – inside and outside the music industry – have coalized against some of these artists: Mo Chara dei Kneecap accused of terrorism, the visa deprived bobs vylan to enter the United States. Now, the massive attacks, veterans of the Bristol scene, have launched a new alliance in support of the artists who consider “victims of intimidation” and “organized censorship” for talking about what is happening in Gaza.
The Massive Attack announced the birth of this alliance via Instagram. The group of “Mezzanine” has been expressed for some time on the topic. In 2023 he collaborated with Young Fathers and Fontaines DC for the charity EP “Ceasefire”, whose proceeds were donated to doctors without borders for humanitarian aid in Gaza. The Massive Attack are also among the many artists who have signed a declaration of support for the Kneecap, after the attempts of the authorities to hit them following their performance at the Coachella. Last month, the band threatened legal actions against ainfluencer Israeli who had accused them of “instigation”. The declaration published yesterday on their Instagram was reconndic by Brian Eno. According to The Guardian, the Kneecap and Fontaines DC also support the initiative. Here is the complete declaration of the Massive Attack:
“The scenes from Gaza have overcome any possibility of description. We write as artists who have chosen to use their public visibility to denounce the in progress genocide and the role of the British government in facilitating it.
Due to our positions, we have been the subject of different forms of intimidation within the industry (live and record), and also on a legal level, by organized organisms such as UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), whose activities were finally unmasked in a new documentary projected last night by the Led by Donkeys collective.
We are well aware of the scope of the aggressive and pretext campaigns conducted by UKLFI, as well as numerous individual cases of intimidation within the music sector, aimed solely to censor and silence the artists who express their conscience.
Having resisted these censorship campaigns, we will not be able to look while other artists – in particular those in the initial phases of the career or in more vulnerable professional situations – are threatened or silenced.
In this spirit, we invite the artists who find themselves in this situation, or anyone who wants to use their platform now to talk about Palestine but fear legal or professional consequences, to contact us.
We want to collaborate to share experiences, creative resources and based on facts and, fundamental, to unite in force and solidarity and ask together:
Immediate and unlimited access to Gaza for international rescue agencies, without military threats.
The end of the horrible persecution against health and humanitarian workers.
The cessation of licenses and sales of weapons from the United Kingdom to Israel.
A ceased the immediate and permanent fire.
A free Palestine.
If you have been afraid of speaking so far but you think it's too late, it is not.
It is never too late to join this movement.
All are welcome “.
Meanwhile, one of the bands in the sights for its pro-Pal positions, the Bob Vylan, are hushed against Damon Albarn dei Blur who had criticized their statements at the Glastonbury Festival, speaking of “one of the most spectacular own goal I have ever seen” and also criticizing a gesture of the frontman Bobby Vylan-a walk defined as “at the Passo dell'Orta” in Tennis. Adding: “They are all so hysterical today. The old testosterone makes you exaggerate”.
The replica of the Bob Vylan al frontman Of the Blur, who recently performed in Italy live with the Africa Express: “Your answer should probably play more or less like this: 'Over 58,000 Palestinians killed from 7 October 2023. More than 700 killed while trying to receive aid. Over 1,400 health workers killed by the same day. A genocide is broadcast live for anyone who wants to see him, and the United Kingdom does not only allow him, to the United States.
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
