Popular music artists take a stand against the ongoing injustice in occupied Palestine
Currently in the Gaza Strip, the advanced genocide of Palestinians by the Israeli government has been taking place, with over 65,000 confirmed Palestinian fatalities , and possibly thousands more unaccounted for. Starting in October of 2023, this genocide has lead to 70 per cent of Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip being destroyed, limited access to food and water, and a large majority of healthcare centres destroyed. This cultural genocide is not a new movement, as the Israeli government have been committing actions to endangering the livelihood of Palestinian people for over a century, all to keep control of the West Strip and Gaza and stop it from becoming a part of an independent Palestinian state. “No Music for Genocide”, a protest movement fighting against Israel’s treatment of Palestine, aims to bring awareness to the topic.
“No Music for Genocide” protesting by boycotting with a music geoblock, where musicians who join remove their music from streaming within Israel. The movement protests the genocide, the segregation within Israel, and the music industries relation to weapons and crimes related to Gaza. This movement protesting the genocidal acts against Palestine is currently supported by over a thousand artists and labels. Notable artists supporting the boycott include current popular artists such as “Royals” singer, Lorde, and bedroom-pop star, Clairo. Also joining the protest is 2000’s rock band Paramore, and Icelandic avant-garde artist, Björk.
With stars agreeing to boycott Israel and using their platforms to share resources regarding cultural genocide, it leads to the wide spread of information towards the general public through media influencers. This can pressure governments to stop condoning the acts of the Israeli government and begin supporting Palestine. There have already been major developes recently against the war in Gaza since the release of “No Music for Genocide.” This September, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry confirmed Israel has committed four out of five genocidal acts in the Gaza Strip, which include killing, causing serious physical or mental harm, deliberately enforcing poor conditions to lead to their destruction, and taking measures to prevent births. The International Court of Justice has called for them to stop these crimes committed and punish those responsible.
The “No Music” movement aims to have a similar impact as the cultural boycott against South Africa’s apartheid, which ended in the 1990s. During that time, many performers refused to play in South Africa as a form of protest. One major example was the “Artists United against Apartheid” movement, which produced the song “Sun City.” The song and the accompanying album featured a long list of notable artists including Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Run-D.M.C., Herbie Hancock, and Bob Dylan. Their work was targeted to spread awareness about the South African government’s treatment of Black people and the American response during the Ronald Reagan administration. Protects and movements like these helped bring international attention and eventually help lead to the end of apartheid laws within South Africa.
The “No Music for Genocide” movement’s logo features a character named Handala, which was created and drawn by Palestinian artist Naji al-Ali in the 1960s. al-Ali was forced to flee Palestine in 1948 by Israeli militia, and Handala represents a young boy who is unable to return home.The current logo has Handala with his back turned and kicking a speaker, which “No Music” describes as a “refusal to compromise with injustice” and “providing no music for genocide”.
If readers of The Argosy wish to learn more about “No Music for Genocide”, you can follow their Instagram page of the same name to stay updated on the movement. Their webpage nomusicforgenocide.org, includes the full list of supporting artists and labels, as well as a list of Palestinian artists, other pro-Palestine movements, and information for how artists can geoblock their music and join the protest.