Thom Yorke has drawn a line in the sand regarding Radiohead’s future touring plans. The frontman stated categorically that the band “absolutely will not” perform in Israel as long as Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power, according to The Sunday Times. This marks a significant shift from their controversial 2017 Tel Aviv show, which sparked fierce debates about artistic responsibility and political boycotts. The declaration comes as Radiohead prepares for their first major tour since 2018, setting up renewed confrontations with activists who never forgave that original performance.
But Radiohead isn’t speaking with one voice. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood directly contradicts his bandmate, arguing that boycotts actually strengthen authoritarian governments. “The government is more likely to use a boycott and say, ‘Everyone hates us—we should do exactly what we want,’” Greenwood told The Sunday Times. His position carries personal weight—he’s married to Israeli visual artist Sharona Katan and maintains ongoing musical collaborations across the Middle East. This philosophical split within one of rock’s most unified bands reveals the impossible positions artists face when politics intersect with creativity.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement hasn’t accepted Yorke’s declaration as sufficient. BDS activists continue demanding the band members distance itself from Greenwood entirely, viewing his collaborations as “artwashing” complicit in Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
Yorke describes the psychological toll of constant scrutiny, admitting the criticism “wakes me up at night,” according to The Sunday Times interview. He frames much of the pressure as a “purity test” that ignores the complex realities artists navigate. The demands to effectively exile Greenwood represent exactly the kind of impossible choice that’s tearing apart cultural communities worldwide.
Other band members occupy the uncomfortable middle ground. Ed O’Brien regrets they didn’t attempt to play Ramallah alongside Tel Aviv in 2017, as reported in The Sunday Times. Philip Selway called BDS’s ultimatum about Greenwood “impossible,” recognizing it would effectively end the band.
The timing adds another layer of complexity—this interview occurred just before the recent Gaza ceasefire, with humanitarian concerns at their peak. Radiohead’s upcoming November tour dates will test whether their internal disagreements can withstand renewed protest campaigns.
This fracture within Radiohead reflects the broader dilemma facing politically conscious artists today. When personal relationships, artistic collaborations, and activist demands collide, there’s rarely a clean resolution—only choices that disappoint someone. Your favorite bands are wrestling with questions that governments struggle to answer.
