British band Massive Attack has spearheaded a coalition of musicians to combat what they describe as intimidation by pro-Israel groups within the music industry. The alliance, named ‘Ethical Syndicate Palestine,’ includes prominent acts such as Kneecap, Brian Eno, and Garbage. This initiative follows the release of a documentary by campaign group Led By Donkeys, which exposes the activities of UK Lawyers for Israel Ltd (UKLFI), accused of silencing pro-Palestine advocacy. According to Led By Donkeys, UKLFI has publicly rejected international law and targeted artists supporting Palestine. In a statement on Instagram, Massive Attack condemned the intimidation of pro-Palestine artists, emphasizing the need to protect emerging musicians from such pressures. They urged those affected by UKLFI’s actions to join the alliance. The documentary also highlights concerns about the weaponization of antisemitism, arguing that it undermines genuine efforts to combat anti-Jewish racism. Recent months have seen several controversies involving pro-Palestine artists in the UK, including cancellations of performances and legal actions. Kneecap, for instance, faces charges under the Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a concert. The band denies the allegations, calling it ‘political policing.’ Meanwhile, artists like Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds have publicly shown support for Palestine, signaling a growing trend of musicians taking a stand against Israeli actions in Gaza.
Massive Attack, Kneecap and others form musician alliance against ‘silencing’ by pro-Israel groups
