Defying activists, Radiohead performs concert in Israel

CAIRO – 20 July 2017:Radiohead has defied the concerns of activists by playing at an Israeli concert in Tel Aviv, on Wednesday July 19, their longest concert since 2006.

The complaints arise over attempts to encourage the band to protest the Israeli government's oppression of Palestinians. However, the band chose not to let their fans down, performing the sold-out concert to a crowd of 47,000 people, playing classic hits such as 'Karma Police' and 'No Surprises' for a total of a 27 song-set.

In April, Radiohead had previously been urged by 'Artists For Palestine' to boycott Israel, with BBC news reporting that last week, British filmmaker and activist for Palestine Ken Loachasked where the band stood in an article he wrote for the Independent:

"Radiohead need to decide if they stand with the oppressed or the oppressor. The choice is simple."

However, as Radiohead singer Thom Yorke said in a statement reported by the BBC: "Playing in a country isn't the same as endorsing its government… Music, art and academia is about crossing borders not building them, about open minds not closed ones, about shared humanity, dialogue and freedom of expression."