13/02/2017

British Musicians and Politics - For Palestinian Refugees

While Radiohead's fans are currently appalled by the band's decision to play in Israel this summer, I'd like to share more about Massive Attack's work to try and raise attention on the situation the Palestinians are going through...

Obviously, this is one of the many greatest reasons that decided me - a social / political journalist - to write about the band and Bristol's history.

When we talked about the issue for my book, this is what Robert had to say:

"Sometimes you feel like an impostor when you do these things, that’s a fear. Human rights lawyers can help, but what can a musician do? It’s just drawing attention by being there but there are certain lines not to cross. In Palestine, and Lebanon it’s heartbreaking because it has lasted so long. Coming from Britain and knowing our history in the region, you want to do engage".

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It's still so true...

Here are extracts from his other interviews on that matter:

Massive Attack on helping Palestinian refugees:

Massive Attack -

2007 Sky News Interview

More on Massive Attack's work with the Hoping Foundation:

In February 2007, massive attack performed three sold-out benefit concerts for the Hoping Foundation (at the Carling Academy in Birmingham, and two at the Brixton Academy in London) to support Palestinian children in refugee camps across the Middle East. In late 2004, Primal Scream, Spiritualized, Nick Cave and other musicians donated their time organizing a special benefit concert for the children of Palestine at the Brixton Academy. 3D, Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja, DJ’d at this first Hoping concert, and continued to look for ways to support Hoping’s work for the children of Palestine.

Over the summer of 2006, Massive Attack began raising money for the HOPING Foundation on its tour of the European continent and America through its paying guest list, and raised awareness of the UN agency that serves Palestinian refugees, UNRWA (Hoping for UNRWA), by distributing thousands of leaflets at their concerts.

At the three concerts performed in February, Jason Pierce and Spiritualized opened in an acoustic set accompanied by a gospel choir. The concerts also provided a showcase for Palestinian musicians. The concert was opened by a DJ set from Checkpoint 303 followed by oud players Le Trio Joubran.

The Roskilde Foundation kindly donated to Hoping’s work with Palestinian children, supporting the Brixton concerts with a donation

Link:

http://hopingfoundation.org/venture/show/90#/venture/show/90

A more recent interview:

The Independant

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Massive Attack make Gaza statement using headline stage at Longitude Festival

The long-time supporters of Palestinian freedom used graphics and lighting to highlight their solidarity

Award-winning band and veteran political activists Massive Attack used their headline slot at Longitude Festival this weekend to highlight their solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The musicians played at Marlay Park, Dublin, on Sunday, kicking off their set with ‘Battlebox’ before using their backdrop to send out messages to the packed audience.

As the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) continues to bombard Gaza with air strikes while Hamas fires rockets into Israel, Massive Attack used its position to show its long-time support of Palestinian freedom.

A lit-up message behind the performers said: “Gaza has been ocupied [sic] or under restrictions since 1948.”

He spoke of his backing the cultural boycott of Israel as it “applies the continual pressure that’s needed.”

“The boycott is not an action of aggression towards the Israeli people,” Mr Del Naja said.

“It's towards the government and its policies. Everyone needs to be reminded of this because it's very easy to be accused of being anti-Semitic, and that's not what this is about.”