Photo by Monirul Islam
Massive Attack, Kneecap, Brian Eno, and a coalition of fellow musicians have united in a newly formed alliance that seeks to defend artists who have used their platforms to denounce the war in Gaza and the UK Government’s complicity in the ongoing violence. The collective, announced last week via coordinated social media posts, signals a defiant stand against what its members describe as “aggressive, vexatious campaigns” aimed at silencing pro-Palestinian voices within the creative industries.
The formation of the alliance closely aligns with a new exposé by political activist group Led By Donkeys, whose recent documentary scrutinises the tactics of UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), a legal advocacy organisation accused of attempting to suppress artistic and cultural expressions of solidarity with Palestinians. The alliance draws from this investigation to spotlight the growing pressure placed on artists, especially those early in their careers, who may be vulnerable to legal threats, public smear campaigns, or deplatforming.
Among the most prominent flashpoints prompting the collective’s formation is the recent case of Bob Vylan, who became the subject of a police investigation after chanting “death to the IDF” during their Glastonbury performance – a moment that also led UKLFI to file a complaint with the police and protest the BBC‘s decision to stream the set. Promoters who had booked the band have since received legal warnings from UKLFI, resulting in the cancellation of several scheduled appearances.
Similarly, Kneecap’s Mo Chara was charged earlier this year with a terrorism offence, following allegations of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a live performance. Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation under UK law, has become a focal point in UKLFI’s campaign, with its legal complaints reportedly contributing to the cancellation of Kneecap shows.
The new alliance has not only condemned these actions but also criticised the broader media landscape for its focus on artist controversies rather than the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. In a recent statement, Massive Attack urged press and broadcasters to shift their attention from what it called the “censorship of dissenting voices” to the “atrocities being endured by civilians in Gaza.”
“The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description,” reads the group’s public statement. “We write as artists who have chosen to use our platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring there and the role of the UK Government in facilitating it. We won’t stand by and allow others—particularly those most vulnerable—to be threatened into silence.”
The statement goes on to highlight what members describe as a coordinated effort to suppress political expression within the music industry, noting “multiple incidences of intimidation” targeting individuals who have spoken in support of Palestinian rights.
The alliance is now calling on other artists to join them, not only in vocalising solidarity but in demanding tangible political outcomes: an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza, and an end to UK arms exports to Israel.
