CNN
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A group of British and Irish musicians say they formed a syndicate to defend artists against the Israeli war in Gaza and the role of foreign governments that fund it.
Read the social media posts from the band’s massive attacks “For the sake of our expression of conscience, we have been subject to various threats from within our industry,” and “legally through organised groups such as the UK attorneys in Israel (UKLFI)”.
The musician said he knows it is designed to censor and silence “an aggressive and troublesome campaign run by UKLFI and multiple personal outbreaks of threats within the music industry itself.”
UKLFI director Caroline Turner said in a statement on CNN on Friday: “The massive attacks have launched an attack on our organization.
“Unfortunately, anti-Semitism has become a part of daily life in the UK, and those seeking to protect their victims are now subject to malicious attacks by the perpetrators,” added Turner.
The post comes after Northern Irish rapper Kneecap and British rappunk duo Bob Villain portrayed criticism of their pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel rhetoric. Both face police investigations for their performance at the Glastonbury Music Festival following a report by UKLFI.
Uklfi said he reported Bob Bilan’s singer to police after chanting “death to IDF” during the set at Glastonbury, referring to Israeli forces. It also reported that the UK public broadcaster The BBC has displayed the set. The BBC later called Bob Bilan’s performance “anti-Semitism” and said it shouldn’t be broadcast.
A critic of Israeli voices and member of Kneecap, who was the war in Gaza, was charged with a terrorist crime last month, following a report by the UKLFI, where London police allegedly displayed a flag “in support of Hezbollah.”
British terrorism police said they were investigating the group after a video emerged that allegedly showed the band seeking to be killed by British politicians.
Kneecap has never previously supported Hamas or Hezbollah, and the circulating footage online has been “deliberately removed from all contexts” as part of a “smear campaign” following criticism over the 20-month war in Gaza.
Both Bob Vylan and Kneecap face widespread gig cancellations.
Uklfi said he wrote at a venue in the UK where Kneecap is scheduled to perform this summer, warning “about the risks that will allow them to play.”
The US State Department banned Bob Bilan from performing in the US.
In a joint social media post, musicians from the newly formed alliance encouraged other artists who would like to speak up but are afraid to contact them.
“The Gaza scene moved beyond explanation,” said the post, which announced the formation of a syndicate calling for a ceasefire. “Immediate, free access” to help Gaza. The end of British arms sales to Israel. Other means.
“Because we have endured these campaigns of attempted censorship, we do not allow other artists, especially those in previous stages of their careers or other positions of professional vulnerability, to be threatened by silence or career cancellation.”
British singer Paloma Faith lends her support in a post shared by Kneecap.
“Go to everyone who’s about to change in the end! It’s hanging out there,” she wrote a comment via her Instagram-verified account.
