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In a long Instagram post, Thom Yorke spoke in detail for Gaza for the first time-and also about the allegations that he had not said anything about it for too long.
The radiohead front man left the stage temporarily in October after a confrontation with a pro-Palestinian intermediary in Melbourne, Australia-now, now, many months later, he is trying to clarify his views on this topic via social media. At that time, York’s reaction to the intermediate caller at the fans made for speculation about the musician’s attitude to the war.
“Completely out of control” – Yorke criticizes Israel’s government
On Instagram, Yorck explains his silence at the time by “not being the best moment [schien]”To talk about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.” After that, he was shocked that his supposed non-reaction was understood as a complicity.
Now Yorke makes it clear in his post that he would not support Israel’s approach in Gaza. He describes the Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu as “completely out of control” and demands that it must be stopped. The international community should exert as much pressure as possible. The often cited self -defense is no longer a sufficient justification, rather it is a “transparent desire to take control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank permanently.”
Read York’s entire statement on the situation here:
Thom Yorke about “witch hunt” on social media
Yorke also said particularly critically about the “witch hunt” on social media. The public pressure on artists: inside and other people to speak out is dangerous and lead to simplifications of a highly complex conflict. “It means shouting out of the dark. It means not looking for people in the eye when you speak. It means to make dangerous assumptions,” says the Brit. What is missing is a real debate-face to face, led by people who actually want killing, the 56-year-old said.
Radiohead has already performed in Israel several times, and Jonny Greenwood, Yorkes bandmate near Radiohead, is married to the Israeli artist Sharona Katan.