Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Fontaines DC, and Kneecap have announced the formation of a union to protect artists—especially those early in their careers—who speak out about Israel’s attacks on Gaza and face threats and complaints from groups like UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), which have led to actions such as concert cancellations.
“This collective action is really about offering some kind of solidarity to those artists who are living day after day in a screen-time genocide, but are worried about using their platforms to express their horror at that because of the level of censorship (…) The intention is clear and obvious: to silence them,” Massive Attack said in a statement to the Guardian.
Concerts by Bob Vylan were canceled after UKLFI filed complaints about them chanting a slogan against the IDF during their set at Glastonbury.
In addition to that incident, earlier this year Mo Chara of Kneecap was accused of terrorism after allegedly holding a Hezbollah flag thrown to him by a fan at a show. The complaint, again filed by UKLFI, led to further concert cancellations for the group.
The artists are also calling on others in the creative community to join them and publicly support their demands for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and humanitarian access to the region.
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