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Radiohead Discuss Upcoming Tour, New Music, Israel in New Interview
Music

Radiohead Discuss Upcoming Tour, New Music, Israel in New Interview

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Next month, Radiohead will reconvene for their first tour dates in seven years. In anticipation, all five members spoke with The Sunday Times for what is being billed as their first full-band interview in years. They discussed their decision to take a break in 2018, their upcoming tour and the possibility of new music, as well as the recent controversy stemming from Thom Yorke’s comments regarding the situation in Gaza and Jonny Greenwood’s association with Israeli musicians.

On the decision to pause Radiohead following their tour in 2018…

Yorke admitted that he had never “really given myself time to grieve” following the death of his first wife, Rachel Owen, in December 2016. “[My grief] was coming out in ways that made me think, I need to take this away,” he explained. “There have been points in my life where I have looked for solace in music and played the piano, but it literally hurts. Physically. The music hurts, because you’re going through trauma.”

Meanwhile, Ed O’Brien said he was “effectively over Radiohead” by the time they decided to take a break. “It wasn’t great on the last round. I enjoyed the gigs but hated the rest. We felt disconnected, fucking spent. It happens. This has been our whole life — what else is there? Look, success has a funny effect on people — I just didn’t want to do it any more. And I told them that .”

“I went through a very long dark night of the soul,” O’Brien added. “I had a deep depression. I hit the bottom in 2021. And one of the things that was lovely coming out of it was realizing how much I love these guys. I met them when I was 17 and I have gone from thinking I can’t see myself doing it again to realizing that, you know, we do have some stellar songs.”

On the upcoming tour…

Yorke sent the band an initial list of 65 songs for them to draw from when crafting their nightly setlists. The band will also be playing in the round, something they haven’t done since opening for Ned’s Atomic Dustbin in 1993.

On plans for new music…

“I don’t know. We haven’t thought past the tour,” said Johnny Greenwood.

“I’m just stunned we got this far,” added Yorke.

On the ongoing controversy surrounding Yorke’s comments regarding Gaza and Greenwood’s association with Israeli musicians…

Radiohead has played concerts in Israel several times over the course of their career, including in 2017 when they ignored a request by Roger Waters to cancel a gig in Tel Aviv in support of the BDS movement. Yorke was also notably heckled by a pro-Palestine audience member during a solo concert in Melbourne, Australia in October 2024, prompting him to briefly walk off stage.

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Earlier this year, Yorke published an extensive statement responding to criticism over his reaction — or perceived lack thereof — to Israel’s war in Palestine, while also condemning what he described as “social media witch hunts.”

Further addressing the controversy with The Sunday Times, Yorke said, “This wakes me up at night. They’re telling me what it is that I’ve done with my life, and what I should do next, and that what I think is meaningless. People want to take what I’ve done that means so much to millions of people and wipe me out. But this is not theirs to take from me — and I don’t consider I’m a bad person.”

“A few times recently I’ve had ‘Free Palestine!’ shouted at me on the street,” Yorke continued. “I talked to a guy. His shtick was, ‘You have a platform, a duty and must distance yourself from Jonny.’ But I said, ‘You and me, standing on the street in London, shouting at each other? Well, the true criminals, who should be in front of the ICC [International Criminal Court], are laughing at us squabbling among ourselves in the public realm and on social media — while they just carry on with impunity, murdering people.’ It’s an expression of impotency. It’s a purity test, low-level Arthur Miller witch-hunt. I utterly respect the dismay but it’s very odd to be on the receiving end.”

Greenwood has faced his own criticisms for his association with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa and for performing in Tel Aviv last year. Earlier this year, Greenwood and Tassa canceled two UK shows after receiving alleged threats connected to protests against Israel.

“It’s the embodiment of the left,” Greenwood told The Sunday Times. “The left look for traitors, the right for converts and it’s depressing that we are the closest they can get.”

Greenwood revealed he is working on another record with Israeli and Middle Eastern musicians, adding, “And it’s nuts I feel frightened to admit that. Yet that feels progressive to me — booing at a concert does not strike me as brave or progressive.”

He continued, “Look, I have been to antigovernment protests in Israel and you cannot move for all the ‘Fuck Ben-Gvir’ stickers. I spend a lot of time there with family [he is married to an Israeli artist, Sharona Katan] and cannot just say, ‘I’m not making music with you fuckers because of the government.’ It makes no sense to me. I have no loyalty — or respect, obviously — to their government, but I have both for the artists born there.”

Yorke Says He Would Not Play Israel Now, Greenwood Can’t Say the Same…

“Absolutely not. I wouldn’t want to be 5,000 miles anywhere near the Netanyahu regime but Jonny has roots there. So I get it,” York said.

“I would also politely disagree with Thom,” Greenwood responded. “I would argue that the government is more likely to use a boycott and say, ‘Everyone hates us — we should do exactly what we want.’ Which is far more dangerous.”

“It’s nuts,” Greenwood added. “The only thing that I’m ashamed of is that I’ve dragged Thom and the others into this mess — but I’m not ashamed of working with Arab and Jewish musicians. I can’t apologize for that.”

Yorke also admitted to being concerned about Radiohead’s upcoming tour being disrupted by protestors. “But they don’t care about us. It’s about getting something on Instagram of something dramatic happening and, no, I don’t think Israel should do Eurovision. But I don’t think Eurovision should do Eurovision. So what do I know?”

On the recent viral success of “Let Down” on platforms like TikTok…

“I find that especially bizarre,” Yorke said. “Because I fought tooth and nail for it not to be on [OK Computer], but Ed was, like, ‘If it’s not, I’m leaving.’” It is, O’Brien added, the “emotional heart” of OK Computer. “Still, I was astonished,” he admitted. “So I told my kids, who are 18 and 21, and they said, ‘What do you expect? Teenagers are depressed. It’s depressing music!’”

You can read the full interview at The Sunday Times.

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Thom Yorke Would "Absolutely Not" Perform in Israel, Radiohead Reflect on Recent Backlash
Music

Thom Yorke Would “Absolutely Not” Perform in Israel, Radiohead Reflect on Recent Backlash

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Over the past year, Radiohead has faced growing criticism for their past decisions to perform in Israel, as well as for guitarist Jonny Greenwood’s continued collaborations with Israeli musicians and his performances in Tel Aviv even after the country’s invasion of Gaza. As a result, both Greenwood and frontman Thom Yorke have been met with protests. Yorke was notably heckled by a pro-Palestine audience member during a solo concert in Melbourne, Australia, in October 2024, prompting him to briefly walk offstage. Greenwood, meanwhile, recently canceled two UK shows with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa after receiving alleged threats linked to protests against Israel.

Ahead of their comeback tour in November, Radiohead’s members addressed the controversy — and their increasingly divergent individual stances on the issue — in a new interview with The Sunday Times.

Earlier this year, Yorke published an extensive statement responding to criticism over his reaction — or perceived lack thereof — to Israel’s war in Palestine, while condemning what he described as “social media witch hunts.”

Related Video

Expanding on the subject with The Sunday Times, Yorke said, “This wakes me up at night. They’re telling me what it is that I’ve done with my life, and what I should do next, and that what I think is meaningless. People want to take what I’ve done that means so much to millions of people and wipe me out. But this is not theirs to take from me — and I don’t consider I’m a bad person.”

“A few times recently I’ve had ‘Free Palestine!’ shouted at me on the street,” Yorke continued. “I talked to a guy. His shtick was, ‘You have a platform, a duty and must distance yourself from Jonny.’ But I said, ‘You and me, standing on the street in London, shouting at each other? Well, the true criminals, who should be in front of the ICC [International Criminal Court], are laughing at us squabbling among ourselves in the public realm and on social media — while they just carry on with impunity, murdering people.’ It’s an expression of impotency. It’s a purity test, low-level Arthur Miller witch-hunt. I utterly respect the dismay but it’s very odd to be on the receiving end.”

Greenwood was also critical of perceived attempt cancel both him and Radiohead. “It’s the embodiment of the left,” Greenwood told The Sunday Times. “The left look for traitors, the right for converts and it’s depressing that we are the closest they can get.”

The Radiohead guitarist revealed he’s working on a new record with Israeli and Middle Eastern musicians, adding, “And it’s nuts I feel frightened to admit that. Yet that feels progressive to me — booing at a concert does not strike me as brave or progressive.”

He continued, “Look, I have been to antigovernment protests in Israel and you cannot move for all the ‘Fuck Ben-Gvir’ stickers. I spend a lot of time there with family [he is married to an Israeli artist, Sharona Katan] and cannot just say, ‘I’m not making music with you fuckers because of the government.’ It makes no sense to me. I have no loyalty — or respect, obviously — to their government, but I have both for the artists born there.”

When asked about the possibility of playing another concert in Israel, Yorke was firm in his response: “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t want to be within 5,000 miles of the Netanyahu regime. But Jonny has roots there, so I get it.”

“I would also politely disagree with Thom,” Greenwood replied. “I would argue that the government is more likely to use a boycott and say, ‘Everyone hates us — we should do exactly what we want.’ Which is far more dangerous.”

“It’s nuts,” Greenwood added. “The only thing that I’m ashamed of is that I’ve dragged Thom and the others into this mess — but I’m not ashamed of working with Arab and Jewish musicians. I can’t apologize for that.”

Yorke also admitted to being concerned about Radiohead’s upcoming tour being disrupted by protestors. “But they don’t care about us. It’s about getting something on Instagram of something dramatic happening and, no, I don’t think Israel should do Eurovision. But I don’t think Eurovision should do Eurovision. So what do I know?”

As for the other members in Radiohead?

Guitarist Ed O’Brien, who previously posted in support of a Free Palestine on social media, pointed out that Radiohead played Ramallah in the West Bank as well. He added that he was “not going to judge anybody… But the brutal truth is that, while we were once all tight, we haven’t really spoken to one another much — and that’s OK.”

Drummer Phil Selway remarked that, “What BDS [ Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] are asking of us is impossible. They want us to distance ourselves from Jonny, but that would mean the end of the band and Jonny is coming from a very principled place. But it’s odd to be ostracized by artists we generally felt quite aligned to.”

And bassist Colin Greenwood recalled the hours after September 11th, when Radiohead were playing a concert in Berlin. [Some Americans in the audience] started to shout at Yorke: “Say something!” Greenwood remembered the singer eventually responded: “What do you want me to say?”

Elsewhere in their interview with The Sunday Times, the decision to go on hiatus, their impending comeback tour, the possibility of new music, and more.

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Other Israel Film Festival 2025 Lineup
TV & Streaming

Other Israel Film Festival 2025 Lineup

by jummy84
written by jummy84

As we approach the end of a year in which the Israel-Palestine conflict and the war in Gaza have found their way into many film industry debates — from the Film Workers for Palestine petition signed by over 4,000 Hollywood professionals calling for the boycott of Israeli film institutions to the ongoing controversy over MUBI’s investment from Sequoia Capital, which also invested in three Israeli defense companies — the Other Israel Film Festival is attempting to offer some common ground. The festival, which aims to offer a nuanced perspective on Israeli life by programming the work of both Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, has announced the lineup for its 19th annual edition, which will once again take place at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan in November.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 02: (L-R) Paul Mescal, Oliver Hermanus and Josh O'Connor attend "The History Of Sound" New York Premiere at Walter Reade Theater on September 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

The festival will begin with the North American premiere of “The Sea,” Israel’s official Oscar submission from director Shai Carmeli-Pollak that follows a Palestinian boy who sneaks into Israel in an attempt to see the sea. The rest of the programming includes a mix of narrative and documentary films about Israel and Palestine, many of which deal with the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, such as Nurit Kedar’s “I Cried in Gaza,” Stephen Apkon’s “There Is Another Way,” and Jérôme Sesquin’s “Israel: Ministers of Chaos.”

“At a time when both governments and the public are working to silence Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, we are committed to amplifying their voices,” Isaac Zablocki, executive director of the Other Israel Film Festival said in a statement. “Film and conversation remain the most powerful tools for cultural change.”

The festival did not immediately respond to IndieWire’s request for further comment.

The 2025 Other Israel Film Festival runs from November 6-13 at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. Keep reading for the complete lineup, with language about the films provided by the festival.

Opening Night: “The Sea”

North American Premiere, Dir. Shai Carmeli-Pollak, Narrative | Israel | 2025 | 96 min

Khaled, a 12-year-old boy from a Palestinian village, travels to the sea for the first time during a school trip. But at the military checkpoint, he is denied entry and sent home. Determined, Khaled sneaks into Israel and embarks on a journey to the sea. When his father, an undocumented laborer working in Israel, learns that his son is missing, he risks everything to search for Khaled.

“I Cried in Gaza”

International Premiere, Dir. Nurit Kedar, Documentary | Israel | 2025 | 55 min

After October 7, Israeli women were recruited for active combat for the first time since 1948. According to Israel’s Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense, 5,000 women combat soldiers have undergone mental health treatment. The film shares the experiences, memories, and post-traumatic stress of women warriors who fought in Gaza and Lebanon.

“Rabbi Capoeira”

New York Premiere, Dir. Barak Heymann, Documentary | Israel | 2024 | 69 min

How does a shy ultra-Orthodox guy become a world master in capoeira? And how does the ultra-Orthodox community of his city, Bnei Brak, react to the revolution he’s determined to bring about? Rabbi Capoeira follows Miki Hayat’s five-year Sisyphean journey to connect spirit and body, bridging fears and dreams. 

“There Is Another Way”

Dir. Stephen Apkon, Documentary | Palestine/Israel/US | 2025 | 67 min

Amid the escalating conflict, two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee “Combatants for Peace,” a group of former enemy combatants, Israeli and Palestinian, works together to find common ground and shape a more hopeful future. This film asserts an alternative to war and that another path is possible for humanity.

“A Place of Her Own”

Dir. Adi Toledano, Dana Pney-Gil, Documentary | Israel | 2025 | 60 min 

In Jisr az-Zarqa, an impoverished Arab village, a group of women seize a chance to build a long-desired community center. As violence shakes the village and a luxury development threatens their land, their hope for change is tested as they strive for a place of their own.

“The Smugglers”

World Premiere, Dir. Tony Copti, Yaniv Berman, Documentary | Israel/Palestine | 2025 | 86 min

In the heart of Jaffa’s old city, a rare Arabic bookshop café is dedicated to preserving its language and literature. As the bookstore faces closure, owner Michel George El-Raheb and his nephew journey across the Middle East, with a mission: to launch a public Arabic book festival in Jaffa, designed to spark a cultural revival. 

“Holding Liat”

Dir. Brandon Kramer, Documentary | US | 2025 | 97 min

On October 7, 2023, Israeli-American Liat Atzili and her husband, Aviv, were kidnapped during Hamas’ attack and taken hostage in Gaza along with 250 other people—12 of whom, like Liat, are American citizens. Caught between international diplomacy and a rapidly escalating war, their family must face their own uncertainty and conflicting perspectives in the pursuit of Liat and Aviv’s release. 

“Israel: Ministers of Chaos “

East Coast Premiere, Dir. Jérôme Sesquin, Documentary | France | 2025 | 58 min

An investigation into the rise of Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, two ministers driving Israel’s government, as they push a controversial agenda to reshape the nation’s democracy and expand its borders under a biblical vision.

“Eid”

New York Premiere, Dir. Yousef Abo Madegem, Narrative | Israel | 2024 | 90 min

Eid, a young man from Rahat, dreams of becoming a playwright. When his parents arrange a marriage for him against his will, his life takes an unexpected turn. Trapped between tradition and his own desires, he fights for his freedom and dreams within Bedouin society while grappling with his childhood trauma.

Starring Shadi Mar’i (“Fauda”, “Our Boys”), who won an Israeli Academy Award for his role, this is the first feature film directed by a Bedouin filmmaker.

“The Village Leagues”

International Premiere, Dir. Tal Michael, David Ofek, Documentary | Israel | 2024 | 60 min

It was Israel’s great political experiment in the West Bank and Gaza before the intifada. Tahsin Mansour, once mayor of the Palestinian village of Azzoun, now lives isolated by war and a roadblock that turned his home into an enclave. Reflecting on his role in the Village Leagues—an Israeli-backed attempt at Palestinian-Israeli peace—he recalls both the promise of diplomacy and the devastating backlash, as members were denounced as traitors and persecuted.

“Open Wound”

North American Premiere, Dir. Yousef Abo Madegem, Ofir Trainin, Documentary | Israel | 2024 | 51 min

The identity crisis of the Bedouins in the Negev has only intensified since October 7, as they are torn between Palestinian roots, family in Gaza, and their Israeli citizenship. The stories of five people, each dealing with the crisis in their own way, reveal the complexities and internal conflicts as they cope with a changing reality.

“Some Notes on the Current Situation”

North American Premiere, Dir. Eran Kolirin, Narrative | Israel | 2025 | 79 min

A philosophical tragicomedy about space, time, cinema, and wars, composed of six episodes, all together forming an absurdist footnote – somewhat divorced from reality – to the current events in the known universe.

Closing Night: “Bella” 

Dir. Jamal Khalaily, Zohar Shachar, Narrative | Israel, Belgium | 2025 | 75 min, Director’s Presentation

When Yaki’s sole inheritance, an extremely valuable dove, is taken by his childhood friend, he embarks on a wild road trip across Israel and Palestine. What follows is a series of comical misadventures—navigating checkpoints, ruining a wedding, and even car theft—all in a desperate race to get the dove to a beauty pageant in Jerusalem.

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Mayor Bans Disturbed's Belgium Show Over Safety Risks Surrounding David Draiman's Support of Israel
Music

Mayor Bans Disturbed’s Belgium Show Over Safety Risks Surrounding David Draiman’s Support of Israel

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Disturbed were set to play the venue Forest National in Brussels, Belgium, on October 15th as part of “The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour,” but it now appears that show will not take place. A local mayor has ordered a ban on the show over safety concerns tied to frontman David Draiman’s support of Israel.

Charles Spapens, mayor of Forest, a municipality of Brussels, issued the following statement, per The Brussels Times: “My responsibility and priority are the safety of residents, neighbors, demonstrators, spectators and staff at Forest National. Given the police’s negative advice and the venue’s unique location, it was my duty to make this decision.”

His decision came after a police risk assessment warned that Draiman’s appearance could lead to violent demonstrations around the venue. It was also influenced by a national strike set to take place a day earlier in Brussels, as well as the anticipation of other demonstrations that may occur in the area.

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Draiman, who is Jewish, has been an outspoken supporter of Israel for years, but it appears that it’s the photos of him signing Israel Defense Forces (IDF) missiles he tweeted in June 2024 with the hashtag “#FuckHamas” that raised the most concern for Mayor Spapens and local authorities.

Those photos came to light again earlier this year when Draiman engaged in a war of words with pro-Palestinian UK hip-hop band Kneecap.

As of this posting, the Brussels concert is still listed on Disturbed’s official website, with tickets still being sold via Live Nation Belgium. Disturbed have not made any official statement regarding the status of the show.

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Roger Waters blasts ‘timid’ and ‘unpleasant’ Thom Yorke in latest row over Israel
Celebrity News

Roger Waters blasts ‘timid’ and ‘unpleasant’ Thom Yorke in latest row over Israel

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Roger Waters has hit out at “timid” and “unpleasant” Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke.

Roger Waters has launched a fresh attack on Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke

The Pink Floyd co-founder, a longstanding supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, has repeatedly attacked Yorke and Radiohead for choosing to perform in Israel and for what he perceives as their weak alignment with the Palestinian cause.

Speaking on The Katie Halper Show, the 82-year-old musician said of Yorke: “He’s a timid little bloke. I think he’s unpleasant company. I wrote him many letters you know.”

The tension between Waters and Yorke dates back to 2017, when Radiohead went ahead with a concert in Tel Aviv despite calls – including from Waters – to cancel under a cultural boycott of Israel. Waters has publicly opposed such performances ever since, citing his alignment with BDS since 2011.

When asked if Yorke ever replied to his letters, Waters said: “Yes, he did respond. It’s all going in my memoir. He got very very snarky and he was trying to be fun[ny].”

Yorke, for his part, has defended his past actions and clarified that Radiohead does not support Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu any more than they endorse US President Donald Trump.

At the time, he said: “Playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing its government.”

Earlier this year, Yorke issued a lengthy reflection on the Israel–Gaza conflict as he described an incident during a solo show in Melbourne when he was heckled by a protester.

The 57-year-old singer posted on social media: “Some guy shouting at me from the dark last year when I was picking up a guitar to sing the final song alone in front of 9000 people in Melbourne didn’t really seem like the best moment to discuss the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Afterwards I remained in shock that my supposed silence was somehow being taken as complicity, and I struggled to find an adequate way to respond to this and to carry on with the rest of the shows on the tour.

“That silence, my attempt to show respect for all those who are suffering and those who have died, and to not trivialise it in a few words, has allowed other opportunistic groups to use intimidation and defamation to fill in the blanks, and I regret giving them this chance. This has had a heavy toll on my mental health.”




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Björk Joins “No Music for Genocide” Israel Boycott
Music

Björk Joins “No Music for Genocide” Israel Boycott

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Björk is the latest artist to join the “No Music for Genocide” mass Israel boycott, making her catalog of music unavailable on Israeli streaming services.

The Icelandic singer now stands alongside the likes of Massive Attack, Hayley Williams and Paramore, Kneecap, Japanese Breakfast, Fontaines D.C. and hundreds more artists who are currently geo-blocking their music in Israel.

According to the No Music for Genocide website, the initiative’s mission is “in response to Israel’s genocide in Gaza; ethnic cleansing of the Occupied West Bank; apartheid within Israel / ’48; political repression of Pro-Palestine efforts wherever we live; and the music industry’s own ties to weapons and crimes against humanity.”

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While Björk has yet to issue a statement about her participation in the Israel boycott, she has shown her support for Palestine in the past, including a November 2023 Instagram post of maps showing territorial changes between Palestine and Israel over the years with the caption, “is this what you call sharing ?”

The singer has let her feelings about the streaming service Spotify be known, calling it “probably the worst thing that has happened to musicians.”

Earlier this year, Björk debuted her concert film Cornucopia in theaters around the world, which will be followed by a physical release next month.

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Björk joins No Music For Genocide campaign and removes catalogue from streaming in Israel
Music

Björk joins No Music For Genocide campaign and removes catalogue from streaming in Israel

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Björk has joined the ‘No Music For Genocide’ campaign, making her back catalogue unavailable on streaming services in Israel.

The new campaign is a cultural boycott initiative encouraging artists and rights-holders to pull their music from streaming platforms in Israel in response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

To join the coalition, the artists involved have edited their own release territories or sent geo-block requests to their distributor or label. They are encouraging major label groups Sony, UMG, and Warner to follow suit, particularly as they blocked their entire catalogues from and closed operations in Russia a month into their invasion of Ukraine.

Massive Attack, Fontaines D.C., Amyl & The Sniffers, and Kneecap were among the leading names to join the initiative last week, as well as Paramore, Rina Sawayama, MIKE, Primal Scream, Faye Webster, Japanese Breakfast, Yaeji, King Krule, MJ Lenderman, Mannequin Pussy, Wednesday, Soccer Mommy and MØ.

Now, it appears that the Icelandic singer-songwriter has become the latest big name to join the campaign. The Times Of Israel reported on Sunday (September 21) that her music was unavailable to people living in Israel on Spotify and Apple Music.

Björk has been outspoken in her advocacy for the Palestinian people in the past, posting on Instagram in November 2023 a series of maps of the Israel-Palestine region since 1946, writing, “Is this what you call sharing?”

A statement from ‘No Music For Genocide’ stated: “Culture can’t stop bombs on its own, but it can help reject political repression, shift public opinion toward justice, and refuse the art-washing and normalization of any company or nation that commits crimes against humanity.

“This initiative is one part of a worldwide movement to erode the support Israel needs to continue its genocide. We’re inspired by the escalating efforts in pursuit of that goal, from the recent Film Workers For Palestine pledge to Spain’s ban of Israel-bound ships and planes to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to Demilitarize Brooklyn Navy Yard to dockworkers in Morocco who’ve refused to load weapons onto vessels ordered by Tel Aviv.

“Many of our peers have felt, like ourselves, unsure how to use music in this moment. Our first goal with No Music For Genocide is to inspire others to reclaim their agency and direct their influence toward a tangible act. We are so grateful for all of the artists, managers and labels who have already committed to this first step, and we’re excited to expand this together. The more of us there are, the stronger we will be. This is just the beginning.”

Björk has been vocal about other geopolitical issues during her career, notably in support of Tibetan independence. At a concert in Shanghai, China in 2008, she said from the stage, “Tibet, Tibet!”, and asked the audience to raise their flags during her track ‘Declare Independence’.

Her comments caused outrage among Chinese officials, to which she replied at the time: “It shows more than anything that China has become the next superpower in the world. And the issue is: how are they going to deal with Western moral issues like freedom of speech?”

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South Park Dumps on Brendan Carr With Cat Feces, Kyle's Mom Heads to Israel
Music

South Park Dumps on Brendan Carr With Cat Feces, Kyle’s Mom Heads to Israel

by jummy84
written by jummy84

*Warning: This article contains spoilers*

Where to even begin with tonight’s episode of South Park? Following a week-delay — officially attributed to Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s inability to finish the episode on time, but likely also intended to create some distance from the events surrounding Charlie Kirk’s murder — it was anyone’s guess what direction the comedy duo would take. Parker and Stone have never shied away from touching the third rail, but the heightened rhetoric around political violence, underscored again today by the targeted shooting at an ICE detention facility in Dallas, Texas, made for a backdrop the South Park creators likely weren’t ready to confront. Instead, on Wednesday, they opted for a path far less divisive and politically fraught: the war in Gaza.

For the first time since Israel’s invasion of Gaza began two years ago, Parker and Stone tackled the crisis head-on — but in the way only they could. The episode opens with the students of South Park Elementary placing bets on prediction markets like Kashi and Polymarket, with one of the most popular props being whether Kyle’s mom would strike Gaza and destroy a Palestinian hospital. Shockingly, Cartman isn’t behind the prop itself, but after realizing the lucrative potential in driving up its odds, he hatches a scheme.

“Ever since Kyle got all pissed off, the odds are going up that his mom will attack Gaza,” Cartman explains. “We can influence Kyle to get the odds raised more. It’s a conflict of interest, it’s a way to make more money. All we have to do is make sure Kyle stays angry and talk anti-Semetic shit about his mom to goose up the odds more… It’s obvious rage bait.”

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And go begins Story B involving Donald Trump Jr., who is portrayed as Strategic Advisor for Predictive Markets, chair of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, and Special Advisor to Israel. Kyle soon finds himself in a game of telephone with Trump’s eldest son as he tries to get the wager removed from the app.

“If it’s offensive, you should talk to the FCC… talk to Brendan Carr,” Trump Jr. tells Kyle, setting the stage for the episode’s biggest highlight.

But first, let’s cover what Daddy Trump is up to this entire episode. After realizing his life is about to change after knocking up Satan, Trump becomes determined to get rid of the baby. Unfortunately for FCC commissioner Carr, he shows up at the wrong place at the wrong time and stumbles into each of Trump’s plots, seriously injuring himself in the process. By episode’s end, Carr has contracted a case of toxoplasmosis from exposure to cat feces. “If it reaches the brain, he may lose his freedom of speech,” the doctor warns Vice President JD Vance.

As for Kyle’s mom? She never does end up bombing Gaza, but she does travel to Israel to berate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Just who do you think you are, killing thousands and flattening neighborhoods, then wrapping yourself in Judaism like it’s some shield from criticism?”

Following its premiere on Comedy Central, Season 27, Episode 5 of South Park — “”Conflict of Interest” — will be available to stream on Hulu beginning Thursday, September 25th.

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Bob Vylan Netherlands Show Canceled Over Israel, Charlie Kirk Comments
Music

Bob Vylan Netherlands Show Canceled Over Israel, Charlie Kirk Comments

by jummy84
written by jummy84

U.K. punk-rap provocateurs Bob Vylan have had their upcoming concert in Tilburg, Netherlands, canceled over comments made at a recent show that the venue said “clearly cross a line.”

During the duo’s recent show at Club Paradiso in Amsterdam, frontman Bobby Vylan repeated the “Death, death to the IDF” chant that turned the band into a flashpoint at Glastonbury earlier this summer. According to a report in De Telegraf, a conservative-leaning Dutch newspaper, Vylan also said, “Fuck the fascists, fuck the Zionists. Go find them in the streets.”

Along with these remarks, video also showed Vylan commenting on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University last week. “I want to dedicate this next one to an absolute piece of shit of a human being,” Vylan said. “The pronouns: was/were. Cause if you chat shit, you will get banged. Rest in peace Charlie Kirk, you piece of shit.”

In response, the Tilburg club Poppodium 013 decided to cancel Bob Vylan’s show, which was scheduled to take place Tuesday, Sept. 16. It appears the decision was based largely on Vylan’s “go find them in the streets” comment, though it’s possible his statement on Kirk’s killing played some role, too. 

“We believe the statements Bob Vylan made last night at Paradiso clearly cross a line,” Poppodium 013 wrote in a statement (via Google Translate). “We strongly reject the trivialization of political murder and the call to ‘go look for people in the streets.’”

They continued: “While we understand that the statements were made in the context of punk and activism, and that the reporting on them is sometimes less nuanced than what actually happened, we nevertheless believe that these new statements go too far. They no longer fall within the boundaries of what we can offer a stage.”

In explaining their decision, Poppodium 013 did note the reason they went ahead with the concert in the first place, despite calls to cancel it following Bob Vylan’s controversial Glastonbury set.

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“The venue expressed its understanding for the artist’s anger regarding the genocidal violence perpetrated by the State of Israel in Gaza, a situation that deserves our full attention, even though his words were not our own,” they said. “We still share that shock and outrage. Moreover, Bob Vylan clarified in his own statement that his earlier statement ‘death to the IDF’ was not an antisemitic slogan, but rather criticism of the Israeli army. 013 wanted to send a message that Gaza deserves full attention and that outrage about it deserves a place on stage. We still stand by that.”

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Vylan partially addressed this latest controversy on Instagram, specifically rejecting media reports that characterized his comments about Kirk’s death as celebratory. “At no point during yesterday’s show was Charlie Kirk’s death celebrated,” he said. “At no point whatsoever did we celebrate Charlie Kirk’s death. I did call him a piece of shit, that much is true. But at no point was his death celebrated.”

He added: “What did happen is, one reporter that bought their ticket online, came with the sole purpose of finding something to report. And after I called him a piece of shit and played a song, they have written that up as a celebration. Not a celebration. Isn’t a celebration. Wasn’t a celebration. Calm down.” 

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Javier Bardem says he won’t work with any company in business with Israel: “Free Palestine”
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Javier Bardem says he won’t work with any company in business with Israel: “Free Palestine”

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Javier Bardem has said he “won’t work” with any company that is in business with Israel.

The actor is among a number of names in the film industry who recently signed a pledge by Film Workers For Palestine to not work with Israeli film institutions amid the conflict in Gaza.

Bardem spoke out on the Emmys red carpet last night (September 14) regarding his decision, telling Variety that he was “denouncing the genocide in Gaza”.

Referencing a recent declaration by a leading association of genocide scholars (via BBC News), the Oscar-winning actor said: “I am talking about the IAGS, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, who study thoroughly genocide and has declared it is a genocide. That’s why we ask for a commercial and diplomatic blockade and also sanctions on Israel to stop the genocide. Free Palestine.”

The star explained that as “a human being” and “a father” he “really cannot take anymore what’s going on”, before speaking about the pledge he’d signed.

“Film Workers for Palestine do not target any individuals based on identity,” he said. “The targets are those film companies and institutions that are complicit and are white-washing or justifying the genocide and its apartheid regime. We do stand with those who are helping and being supportive of the oppressed people.”

Bardem further explained why he “won’t work” with companies in business with Israel, saying: “I cannot work with somebody who justifies or supports the genocide. I can’t. It’s as simple as that. We shouldn’t be able to do that in this industry or any other industry.”

He continued: “The world has changed and what we are witnessing is a genocide in 4K, alive on a daily basis. This has to stop.”

The star also revealed how he speaks to his children about the subject, sharing: “By telling them openly what is going on. By telling them that, of course, what Hamas did on October 7th is horrible. There’s no excuse or justification for that.

“But I have serious doubts that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s agenda was ever the possibility or the will to rescue any hostages. And the family of those hostages are suffering so much are every day on the streets reminding him of that.

“I’m hopeful after unfortunately so many deaths and children being murdered, the world is waking up finally to something that has to be fixed, politically fixed now.”

The recent pledge was also signed by the likes of Olivia Colman, Mark Ruffalo, Tilda Swinton, Ayo Edebiri, Riz Ahmed, Yorgos Lanthimos, Ava DuVernay and Asif Kapadia.

“In this urgent moment of crisis, where many of our governments are enabling the carnage in Gaza, we must do everything we can to address complicity in that unrelenting horror,” it says.

Bardem was nominated at last night’s Emmys for the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award for his role in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The ceremony’s big winners were The Pitt, The Studio and Adolescence.

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