Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Caribou, among hundreds of musicians urging Live Nation to cease operations in Israel
Over 600 musicians, composers, producers, and more have signed an open letter issued by Musicians For Palestine calling for Live Nation to stop its operations in Israel.
Musicians for Palestine first formed in 2021 during Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip, fostering a grassroots network of artists and music industry workers who went on to launch a statement supporting a cultural boycott of apartheid Israel in solidarity with Palestine. More than 7,000 musicians have mobilised in support of the initiative, refusing to perform at any cultural institutions complicit in the genocide.
Their latest open letter, following the impact of the 2021-22 statement, addresses Live Nation's operational presence in Israel through its subsidiary, Live Nation Israel. This is in line with the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) — a founding member of the Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) movement — calling for pressure against the institution through "targeted, strategic boycotts", in favour of acknowledging Live Nation's role in Palestinian oppression, and encouraging ethical programming and partnership policies.
Many of the artists who have signed the open letter have previously worked with Live Nation Entertainment, but state their support for "principled initiatives that demand dignified pay for all, respect for local scenes and the end of corporate monopolization."
"We cannot stay silent while Live Nation Israel glorifies the genocidal Israeli military that has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza. We echo long-standing Palestinian calls for accountability over its years of artwashing of Israeli apartheid and now genocide," the letter reads.
It further adds, "We call on Live Nation Entertainment to uphold all the authoritative demands of Palestinians, by dropping Live Nation Israel, adopting policies to ensure its programming and partnerships are not complicit in oppression anywhere, and respecting the guidelines of Palestinian civil society. Live Nation’s venues and festivals: please echo and adhere to these demands."
To conclude, the letter states, "We can no longer allow our music to be used to artwash apartheid, genocide or oppression against any people. Our shared vision of a more just and peaceful world propels us. Join us."
Musicians and industry workers can sign the letter here
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