Thurston Moore Issues Statement Supporting Israel Boycott, Citing "Brutal Human Rights Violations"

Photo by Maria Louceiro

Earlier this year, Thurston Moore cancelled a planned concert in Tel Aviv, Israel. He didn’t give an explanation at the time. Earlier this week, Moore provided a statement to The Quietus about the cancellation, confirming that it’s in support of the BDS Movement, which advocates for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel owing to their treatment of the Palestinian populace.

“It was with serious deliberation that I eventually arrived at the personal conclusion that to perform with my band in Israel was in direct conflict to my values. With the realization that a cultural and academic boycott is central to its purpose in exposing a reality of brutal human rights violations – including those accompanying Israel’s discriminatory laws and occupation of the West Bank – I felt the need, with humility, to cancel the engagement,” he wrote. You can find the full statement here.

He continued: “With apology and thanks to everyone I work with professionally, as this decision incurs difficult rectification, and to every individual with a wish to hear us play live, I’ve made the decision, with certitude, to fully acknowledge the dedication of the boycott until the time comes for it to be unnecessary.”

The statement ended on a hopeful note that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians might improve. “When Sonic Youth played Tel Aviv in 1996 it was an amazing, wonderful experience and education. I hope to return soon,” he wrote. (The BDS Movement issued its first call in 2005, almost a decade after that Sonic Youth Tel Aviv show.)

Moore joins a long list of artists who have boycotted and protested against Israel. Brian Eno is an outspoken critic of Israel; last year, he wrote a widely circulated letter about the relationship between Israel and Palestine, in which he compared Israel to the Ku Klux Klan. Lana Del Rey, Lauryn Hill, Pixies, Neil Young, Gorillaz, Klaxons, Elvis Costello, and more have all canceled shows there.

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