Massive Attack Boycotts Israel
September 6th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Unlike Elton John, Suzanne Vega and Johnny Rotten, Massive Attack has joined the list of prominent musical performers that are boycotting Israel for its anti-human policies against Palestinians. Lead singer Robert Del Naja told William Parry (featured on PULSE here) that the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign is the “the only way forward” and it’s “a system that’s been applied to many countries. It’s a good thing to aim for because it applies the continual pressure that’s needed.”
“I think musicians have a major role to play…I find the more I get involved, the more the movement becomes something tangible. I remember going to ‘Artists Against Apartheid’ gigs, and ‘Rock Against Racism’ gigs around the same sort of time. Bands like the Clash and the Specials had a lot to do with influencing the minds of the youth in those days.
No doubt aware of the vehement campaigns launched by Zionists against prominent BDS supporters, Del Naja recognizes the important role musicians play in rallying support for political causes and makes clear that this move is aimed at Israeli state policies:
The boycott is not an action of aggression towards the Israeli people…it’s towards the government and its policies. Everyone needs to be reminded of this because it’s very easy to be accused of being anti-Semitic, and that’s not what this is about.
BDS leader Omar Barghouti has described Del Naja’s words as the “strongest, most principled and most morally coherent” BDS support message made by a musician so far.
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