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British Band Forms Alliance for Musicians Facing ‘Intimidations’ for Accusing Israel of ‘Genocide’ in Gaza
Massive Attack. Photo: BANG Showbiz
The British band Massive Attack announced on Thursday an alliance for musicians who are facing alleged “intimidations from within” the music industry and legal profession as well as “organized censorship” for accusing Israel of committing genocide during its war against the Hamas terror group in Gaza.
“We write as artists who’ve chosen to use our public platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring [in Gaza] & the role of the UK government in facilitating it,” the band, who are ardent critics of Israel, wrote in a statement posted on Instagram. “Because of our expression of conscience, we’ve been subject to various intimidations from within our industry (live & recorded) and legally.”
The English trip hop collective said it is aware of “aggressive, vexatious campaigns” by the group UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) and “multiple individual incidences of intimidation within the music industry itself; designed solely to censor & silence artists from speaking their hearts & minds.”
“We won’t standby & allow other artists … to be threatened into silence or career cancellation,” the band added.
Similar versions of the statement were shared on Instagram Stories by the Irish bands Kneecap and Fontaines DC. Musician and producer Brian Eno shared the statement in a post on his Instagram page and the British duo Bob Vylan voiced support for the statement in a comment on Massive Attack’s Instagram post. British singer Paloma Faith expressed solidarity with the new alliance in a comment on Kneecap’s Instagram page. “I’ve been shadow banned for some time !!!” she wrote. “Keep going everyone it’s going to eventually change! Hang in there.”
The musicians in the newly formed alliance encouraged other artists who wish to speak up in support of “Palestine” but are “concerned about industrial or legal repercussions” to contact them. The post announcing the creation of the alliance also called for the “immediate, unfettered access” of international aid to Gaza; a ceasefire to end the Israel-Hamas war; the end of UK arms sales and licenses to Israel; and a “free Palestine.”
Massive Attack additionally highlighted a documentary film about the actions of UKLFI screened on Wednesday night by the British activist group Led By Donkeys.
Massive Attack said in a statement on Friday that the new alliance offers solidarity to artists who “are living day after day in a screen-time genocide, but are worried about using their platforms to express their horror at that” because of censorship in the industry or from legal bodies “terrifying them & their management teams with aggressive legal actions.”
UKLFI responded to Massive’ Attacks accusations against the organization, and detailed its history with the band, in a statement shared with The Algemeiner on Friday.
“Massive Attack has launched an attack on our organization, which helps to protect victims of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel racism,” said Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI. “Unfortunately, antisemitism has become an everyday part of life in the UK, and those trying to protect its victims are now subject to vicious attacks by the perpetrators.”
During Massive Attack’s performance at the Lido Festival in London on June 6, they invited an anti-Israel activist on stage who accused Israel of genocide, apartheid, and a “brutal occupation.” He also compared Israel’s military actions in Gaza to the atrocities Jews faced in the Holocaust. During their set, Massive Attack additionally called for the release of Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti and projected images of Yahyah Sinwar, the late Hamas leader who masterminded the deadly terrorist in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Massive Attack later denied support for Sinwar.
UKLFI was contacted by several Jewish and Israeli audience members at the Lido festival “who were deeply distressed and traumatized by what they saw,” Turner told The Algemeiner on Friday.
“Several of the Israelis attending the performance had friends and relatives who were murdered by Hamas on Oct. 7,b2023, at the Nova festival and were extremely upset by what they saw at the concert,” Turner added. “The band exploited the vulnerability of concertgoers who had come seeking musical unity, instead delivering divisive political theatre. The scenes were reminiscent of history’s darkest chapters — like a Nazi era rally, with crowds chanting in unison, manipulated by carefully crafted messaging. We wrote to Massive Attack to convey this, and requested that future performances do not repeat these actions. We believe in free speech and artistic expression; however we felt this performance crossed a line and made audience members feel deeply traumatized.”
Kneecap shared on Thursday that police in the UK will not pursue legal charges and have dropped their criminal investigation into the group’s controversial Glastonbury Festival performance in late June, where they lead the crowd in several chants of “f–k Keir Starmer” against the UK’s prime minister, as well as “free Palestine.” A member of Kneecap was charged with a terrorism offense in June for allegedly expressing support for the US and UK-designated terrorist group Hezbollah. He is due in court on Friday.
Police also launched a formal investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance at Glastonbury, during which lead singer Pascal Robinson-Foster led the crowd in chants of “Death, death, to the IDF,” referring to the Israel Defense Forces. UKLFI said it reported Robinson-Foser to Avon and Somerset Police in the UK for a possible breach of Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, which prohibits threatening and abusive words and behavior within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm, or distress. UKLFI also reported the British Broadcasting Corporation to police for live streaming Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set.
The US State Department has revoked Bob Vylan’s US visa because of their controversial comments at Glastonbury.
Many Jewish bands and musicians who have visited Israel are being boycotted by venues and festivals, having their concerts canceled, or facing intimidation and threats from supporters of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.
The post British Band Forms Alliance for Musicians Facing ‘Intimidations’ for Accusing Israel of ‘Genocide’ in Gaza first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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UK Blocks Israeli Officials From Its Biggest Defense Show
Visitors look at ammunition on display at the Defense and Security Equipment International trade show in this file photo in London, Britain, Sept. 12, 2017. Photo: REUTERS/Hannah McKay
Britain has barred Israeli officials from its biggest defense trade show over its escalation of the war against Hamas in Gaza, its latest effort to pressure a historically close ally over the conflict.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government said in July it would recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel took steps to relieve suffering in the enclave and met other conditions, enraging the Israeli government.
Israel’s Ministry of Defense said that as a result of the trade fair ban it would not run its national pavilion as it has done previously at London’s Defense & Security Equipment International (DSEI) event.
Israeli defense companies, such as Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI, and Uvision, will still be able to attend.
Britain’s move had echoes of a dispute at the Paris Air Show three months ago, when France blocked off with black partitions the stands of Israeli defense companies after they refused to remove attack weapons from display, sparking a furious response from Israel.
A British government spokesperson said on Friday that the Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza was wrong.
“As a result, we can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025.”
“There must be a diplomatic solution to end this war now, with an immediate ceasefire, the return of the hostages and a surge in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” the spokesperson added.
Israel said Britain’s decision was a “regrettable act of discrimination” and “introduces political considerations wholly inappropriate for a professional defense industry exhibition.”
The four-day show, due to open on Sept. 9, features national delegations and private companies, who showcase military kit and weapons at London’s Excel center. The event takes place every other year.
DSEI is organized by a private company, Clarion Defense and Security, but with backing from the British government and the military.
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Israel Pounds Gaza City Outskirts as Military Push Quickens
Palestinians gather near a cemetery as smoke rises following an explosion during an Israeli operation in Gaza City, Aug. 28, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Israel‘s military stepped up armed operations around Gaza City on Friday, ending temporary pauses there that had allowed for aid deliveries, as it announced the recovery of the body of Ilan Weiss, a hostage seized by Hamas.
Israel is pushing ahead with a plan to take full control of the whole Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City, with the goal of destroying Hamas after nearly 23 months of war.
“The local tactical pause in military activity will not apply to the area of Gaza City, which constitutes a dangerous combat zone,” the Israeli military said.
The Gaza City campaign has gradually intensified over the past week as Israel has urged civilians to leave for the south of the Palestinian enclave.
The Israeli military‘s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee said the military was operating with great intensity on the outskirts of Gaza City and would “deepen our strikes” as it pressed its assault.
It announced daily 10-hour tactical pauses in fighting across the enclave and new aid corridors in late July, after months of restricted humanitarian deliveries drew international criticism.
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Germany Tells Nationals to Leave Iran, Fearing Retaliation Over Move With UK, France to Restore UN Sanctions
United Kingdom’s Ambassador to the United Nations Barbara Woodward, accompanied by other E3 members German Ambassador Ricklef Beutin and Deputy French Ambassador Jay Dharmadhikari, speaks to members of the press about Iran and nuclear weapons outside the UN Security Council chamber at UN Headquarters in New York City, US, Aug. 29, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Angelina Katsanis
Germany has told its nationals to leave Iran and refrain from traveling there to avoid getting caught in retaliatory acts by Tehran over Germany‘s role in triggering UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.
Britain, France, and Germany on Thursday launched a 30-day process to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear program, a step likely to stoke tensions two months after Israel and the United States bombed Iran.
“As Iranian government representatives have repeatedly threatened with consequences in this case, it cannot be ruled out that German interests and nationals will be affected by countermeasures in Iran,” the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday.
“Currently, the German Embassy in Tehran can only provide limited consular assistance on site,” it warned.
Britain, France, and Germany urged Iran at the United Nations on Friday to meet three requirements so their threat of reimposing UN sanctions can be delayed to allow space for talks on a deal to address their concerns about Tehran’s nuclear program.
UN envoys for the three countries – known as the E3 – issued a joint statement before a closed-door Security Council meeting.
The E3 offered to delay reinstating sanctions – known as snapback – for up to six months if Iran restored access for UN nuclear inspectors, addressed concerns about its stock of enriched uranium, and engaged in talks with the United States.
“Our asks were fair and realistic,” said Britain’s UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward, who read the statement. “However, as of today, Iran has shown no indication that it is serious about meeting them.”
“We urge Iran to reconsider this position, to reach an agreement based on our offer, and to help create the space for a diplomatic solution to this issue for the long term,” she said, with her German and French counterparts standing next to her.
In response, Iran‘s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said the E3 offer was “full of unrealistic preconditions.”
“They are demanding conditions that should be the outcome of negotiations, not the starting point, and they know these demands cannot be met,” he told reporters.
Iravani said the E3 should instead back “a short, unconditional technical extension of Resolution 2231,” which enshrines a 2015 nuclear deal that lifted UN and Western sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program.
SINO-RUSSIAN DRAFT
Russia and China have proposed a draft UN Security Council resolution that would extend the 2015 deal for six months and urge all parties to immediately resume negotiations. But they have not yet asked for a vote.
The pair, strategic allies of Iran, have removed controversial language from the draft – which they initially proposed on Sunday – that would have blocked the E3 from reimposing UN sanctions on Iran.
Iravani described the Russian and Chinese draft resolution as a practical step to give diplomacy more time. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the US, France, Britain, China, or Russia.
UN nuclear inspectors have returned to Iran for the first time since it suspended cooperation with them after attacks in June on its nuclear sites by Israel and the United States. But Iran has not yet reached an agreement on how it would resume full work with the International Atomic Energy Agency.