Roger Waters, a prominent supporter of Palestine and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel, has attacked Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood for their stance on the Israel-Palestine issue.
In conversation with American journalist Abby Martin for The Empire Files, Waters was asked about Yorke clashing with a pro-Palestinian protester and leaving the stage in a Melbourne show in October.
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Waters admitted he was not surprised, and recalled how he and Yorke had "a good exchange of emails" after he and other musical peers asked Radiohead to reconsider performing in Tel Aviv in 2017.
Thom Yorke seems to feel above it all. Dismisses the Left’s efforts towards a fairer world. Fears for the way the world is going (because he has children) but doesn’t see he is part of the problem. Sigh.
It's an illuminating interview, Matt. Thanks for publishing it here.
Lorde cancelled a concert planned for Tel Aviv for June 2018 after she was alerted to how Israel had been treating the Palestinians (I’m writing from New Zealand).
Madonna, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters and others have performed in Israel despite protest. Radiohead faced pressure from activists to cancel their concert in Tel Aviv in 2017 but ultimately went ahead with the performance. As the Guardian reported at the time, British filmmaker, Ken Loach “wrote to the singer [Thom Yorke] on Twitter that “Radiohead need to decide if they stand with the oppressed or the oppressor. The choice is simple.”
Yorke responded in a statement: “Playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing its government.”
“Playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing its government.” Both you and Yorke seem to be missing something here, Pissrael is not a country but a settler colonial project founded on a supremacist ideology.
Now, Roger Waters did play in Israel, up until he learned about this and has been a firm advocate for Palestinian rights and freedoms and the BDS movement ever since. Whatever reasons the other artists including Yorke have given in order to justify their performances in the Pariah state are only excuses and proof that deep inside, most stars are ignorant, self centred, racist and in this case, supremacist. Not to mention that some of these names have come out openly Zionists. See that’s the problem with people like Yorke, they will deny their privilege to appear humble all while completely avoiding the moral responsibilities that come with it. He comes up on an interview saying he does not think he has a voice but seems pretty aware of the platform he’s on and the influence he’s art has had on others. Downplaying this influence does not make it disappear and I don’t think he hasn’t had a chance not to notice how much success and attention he receives. To me, It’s just a matter of seeing these people for who they are, yes very talented but in the end flawed human beings who have been given excessive privileges and attention. The size of their egos must be immeasurable.
And, dear Matt, I love your work but I feel disappointed at the fact that you have interviewed someone like Yorke and hadn’t challenged him about this and especially his stance on Palestine. Since it looks he’s willing to openly admit he disagrees with western foreign policies. He seems pretty interested in politics, I wonder if that interest extends to human rights?
The interview was in 2007. It’s possible that Matt was still a student journalist at Leeds University at the time. Or maybe he was preparing to go to Columbia to do his Master’s at the time? It’s unclear. But the interview doesn’t really delve into Yorke’s views on specific issues. It’s more focused on how he sees politics within his art and what influences have shaped his thinking.
Thanks, that would make a lot of sense. I wish he’d interview him today. In any case, #abolishcelebrity Tom Yorke and Radiohead are a great example as to why.
Hello Matt, Thanks very much for this article. I appreciate his honesty even though many seem to criticise him for not going all in as part of a “movement”.
I hate when archive posts come back months later, especially when they contain images and words about a massive Zionist piece of rotting feces that is Thom cunt-fucker Yorke.
Fuck Zionist Head Yorke…
Roger Waters, a prominent supporter of Palestine and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel, has attacked Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood for their stance on the Israel-Palestine issue.
In conversation with American journalist Abby Martin for The Empire Files, Waters was asked about Yorke clashing with a pro-Palestinian protester and leaving the stage in a Melbourne show in October.
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Waters admitted he was not surprised, and recalled how he and Yorke had "a good exchange of emails" after he and other musical peers asked Radiohead to reconsider performing in Tel Aviv in 2017.
Thom Yorke seems to feel above it all. Dismisses the Left’s efforts towards a fairer world. Fears for the way the world is going (because he has children) but doesn’t see he is part of the problem. Sigh.
Little bit curious to know what Thom Yorke’s thoughts would be about Chomsky and Manufactured Consent today.
It's an illuminating interview, Matt. Thanks for publishing it here.
Lorde cancelled a concert planned for Tel Aviv for June 2018 after she was alerted to how Israel had been treating the Palestinians (I’m writing from New Zealand).
Madonna, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters and others have performed in Israel despite protest. Radiohead faced pressure from activists to cancel their concert in Tel Aviv in 2017 but ultimately went ahead with the performance. As the Guardian reported at the time, British filmmaker, Ken Loach “wrote to the singer [Thom Yorke] on Twitter that “Radiohead need to decide if they stand with the oppressed or the oppressor. The choice is simple.”
Yorke responded in a statement: “Playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing its government.”
— https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/19/radiohead-perform-israel-gig-despite-opposition-from-activists
At least Roger Waters became enlightened and has spoken out vigorously since then. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/when-i-called-for-peace-israeli-audience-fell-silent-pink-floyds-roger-waters/3074997#
“Playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing its government.” Both you and Yorke seem to be missing something here, Pissrael is not a country but a settler colonial project founded on a supremacist ideology.
Now, Roger Waters did play in Israel, up until he learned about this and has been a firm advocate for Palestinian rights and freedoms and the BDS movement ever since. Whatever reasons the other artists including Yorke have given in order to justify their performances in the Pariah state are only excuses and proof that deep inside, most stars are ignorant, self centred, racist and in this case, supremacist. Not to mention that some of these names have come out openly Zionists. See that’s the problem with people like Yorke, they will deny their privilege to appear humble all while completely avoiding the moral responsibilities that come with it. He comes up on an interview saying he does not think he has a voice but seems pretty aware of the platform he’s on and the influence he’s art has had on others. Downplaying this influence does not make it disappear and I don’t think he hasn’t had a chance not to notice how much success and attention he receives. To me, It’s just a matter of seeing these people for who they are, yes very talented but in the end flawed human beings who have been given excessive privileges and attention. The size of their egos must be immeasurable.
And, dear Matt, I love your work but I feel disappointed at the fact that you have interviewed someone like Yorke and hadn’t challenged him about this and especially his stance on Palestine. Since it looks he’s willing to openly admit he disagrees with western foreign policies. He seems pretty interested in politics, I wonder if that interest extends to human rights?
The interview was in 2007. It’s possible that Matt was still a student journalist at Leeds University at the time. Or maybe he was preparing to go to Columbia to do his Master’s at the time? It’s unclear. But the interview doesn’t really delve into Yorke’s views on specific issues. It’s more focused on how he sees politics within his art and what influences have shaped his thinking.
Thanks, that would make a lot of sense. I wish he’d interview him today. In any case, #abolishcelebrity Tom Yorke and Radiohead are a great example as to why.
Fuck Thom Yorke, he's not worth listening to.
Hello Matt, Thanks for this article. I appreciate his honesty although many seem unhappy at his refusal to sign up fully to a "movement""
Hello Matt, Thanks very much for this article. I appreciate his honesty even though many seem to criticise him for not going all in as part of a “movement”.
I don’t care what bloody Thom has to say, he is not prepared to be outspoken due to his ego and moral constipation. Yes, he’s a creep!
I hate when archive posts come back months later, especially when they contain images and words about a massive Zionist piece of rotting feces that is Thom cunt-fucker Yorke.
Oh, not Chomsky's kibbutz loving, Epstein Sucking, Woody Allen buggering days!
https://open.substack.com/pub/paulokirk/p/gideons-chariots-for-the-jews-and?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=5i319
Absurd you are bowing at the alter of CIA Chomsky.
https://winteroak.org.uk/2025/05/15/chomsky-epstein-and-the-cia/
Worthless in so many ways.