More than 900 artists have signed the letter in support of Palestinian rights.
The initiative, called Musicians for Palestine, initially launched in May 2021 after Israeli forces killed at least 248 Palestinians in Gaza and wounded at least 1900 more. The ongoing pledge, which has been signed by artists including FKA twigs, Arca, Venus X, Marianne Faithfull, Lido Pimienta and Zoë McPherson, states that “silence is not an option” and calls on their peers to sign the letter “refusing to perform at Israeli complicit cultural institutions”.
“As musicians we can contribute to breaking the wall of silence and protest these great injustices taking place against the Palestinian people,” the letter states. “Many of us come from or work in states that are deeply complicit in maintaining this system of grave injustice.” See the full list of artists that have signed the pledge here.
In a statement, organisers behind the Musicians for Palestine movement said, “we believe that now, more than ever, is the time to respect the Palestinian peaceful picket line by declining invitations to events that are subsidised or sponsored by the Israeli state, its lobby groups or complicit cultural institutions. Such events can only legitimize Israeli apartheid policies.”
Alongside the letter, Radio AlHara and the Al-jisser cultural space – which are both based in the occupied Palestinian West Bank – broadcast a four-hour show yesterday featuring musicians who have signed the pledge. NTS Radio also streamed the mix, which can be listened back to here. There will also be two 12-hour broadcasts across 29 and 30 September on Radio AlHara.
The Musicians for Palestine pledge follows on from previous initiatives in support of Palestine including #DJsforPalestine, the Letter Against Apartheid and Queer Cinema for Palestine.
