Thom Yorke, the enigmatic frontman of Radiohead, has confirmed in a recent interview that he will no longer perform in Israel, citing deep reservations about the country’s government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Asked whether Radiohead would return, Yorke answered bluntly: “Absolutely not.” He added, “I wouldn’t want to be 5,000 miles anywhere near the Netanyahu regime but Jonny [Greenwood] has roots there. So I get it.”
Yorke’s comments reignite a longstanding controversy. In July 2017, Radiohead performed in Tel Aviv despite an open letter signed by dozens of artists urging cancellation in solidarity with Palestine. Yorke later said he was “horrified” when someone connected to high levels of the Israeli establishment approached him at the hotel and thanked him for the show.
The split within the band is also visible. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood, married to an Israeli artist and collaborator with Israeli and Arab musicians, has publicly disagreed with Yorke’s stance. Greenwood told The Sunday Times: “I would politely disagree with Thom. I would argue that the government is more likely to use a boycott and say, ‘Everyone hates us – we should do exactly what we want’ which is far more dangerous.”
Yorke’s position may reflect a larger reckoning for artists navigating geopolitics and performance. Critics have questioned his reluctance to speak directly about the war in Gaza, while supporters see his refusal as a moral statement. Amid a heated climate of cultural diplomacy and protest, Yorke has taken one of the clearest stances yet: refusing a stage where he believes the politics overshadow the music.
