FEATURE:
Ceasefire
IN THIS PHOTO: Sleater-Kinney/PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Hornbecker
The Difficult Situation of Artists Taking a Stance Against the Genocide in Palestine
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IT is easy…
PHOTO CREDIT: Muaaz/Pexels
for most of to take a stance on social media when it comes to the atrocities happening in Gaza. The Palestinian people being displaced and erased. Even though Israel has pledged a daily four-hour pause in the fighting, it is not enough. The casualties and scale of the destruction is catastrophic! We can all have our say. Even though some say that Israel is protecting itself and is in the right, most (reasonable) people defend Palestine and their hearts are with the people there - and the innocent Israeli civilians who are also affected. It is good that we can mobilise our voices and call for ceasefire. Weather that happens soon, I am not sure. I do think that there needs to be more commitment from our Government when it comes to calling for that. At the moment, there is nothing coming from them. Not wanting to take a political stance or risk offending Israel, it is a cowardly and cruel position to take. Whilst there is this decimation and genocide happening, we are seen to be passive and uncaring! The same cannot be said for those online. Many celebrities and high-profile people have spoken out. Supporting Palestine and highlighted the evil that is being perpetrated. For artists, it is not quite as easy as speaking out and having a say. I think that most artists are with Palestine and want a ceasefire – though there are going to be those who are on the wrong side and will stir controversy. I recently saw a post by The Anchoress about what is unfolding.
PHOTO CREDIT: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels
Feeling sick to her stomach, she wondered what to do. That fear and disgust. It is difficult if you have a following online and make comments. I think there is a lot to lose for artists. I guess, when you are passionate, you weigh up what you can afford to lose. In terms of the music community, there are those who are speaking up. An open letter has just been signed by artists who are calling for a ceasefire. That is inspiring! I can understand, for many, it is hard to articulate what they feel and what needs to be done. Feeling powerless and bereft, it is a hard situation where they are appalled by what is happening and yet there is that fear that they may divide people or be attacked. It takes me to Sleater-Kinney. When they recently played in London, as NME reported, they called out what is happening. Took a position and got angry:
“Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein has called for “Palestinian liberation” during a live show in London.
The moment came as the American rock band performed during a live show at The Dome in London last night (November 8) – in what was their smallest UK show in over two decades.
As well as bringing out renditions of fan favourites such as ‘Modern Girl’ and ‘Dig Me Out’, the band also used the show in the capital to share their desire for a ceasefire in the Israel/Gaza conflict.
Speaking directly to the audience mid-way through the show, Carrie Brownstein highlighted the ongoing developments across the Middle East, stating (via Clash): “We want a ceasefire and we want Palestinian liberation and we want peace.”
She continued, urging those in the room to make an active push for “what is right”, stating: “There’s not much we can say right now except that there’s a lot going on, and this is the only chance we have… we’re so fucking lucky to be here, to be alive, so please fight with all your heart for what is right”.
IN THIS PHOTO: Madonna on stage during her current Celebration Tour
If there is this daily pause in the violence, that does not mean things are heading towards a ceasefire. There is still a monumental amount of destruction being wrought on a daily basis! I have seen a load of artists attack Israel and call for peace. It is a difficult situation when it comes to larger artists. The very biggest who have that commercial success and a lot to lose. Some have criticised artists like Taylor Swift for not speaking up. She is not a political artist though, with such a following, is she going to split people and face a backlash. She will support the Palestinian people and decry what is happening…though she has millions of fans and might feel she cannot take a stance. Madonna voiced her opinions about the Israel-Palestine conflict when she played in London recently. Using her voice and platform to send a clear message out, there are many who are speaking up and out. Dua Lipa also recently had made a statement:
“English-Albanian popstar of Muslim descent, Dua Lipa turned to her Instagram handle, to express solidarity with the people of Gaza amid the ongoing war and extend her condolences towards the affectees, calling for a ceasefire in the region.
Sharing a PCRF (Palestine Children’s Relief Fund) fundraiser for the ‘Urgent relief for Gaza’s children’, the ‘Levitating’ singer wrote, “With each passing day, my heart aches for the people of Israel and Palestine. Grief for the lives lost in the horrifying attacks in Israel. Grief as I witness the unprecedented suffering in Gaza, where 2.2 million souls, half of them children, endure unimaginable hardships.”
She continued, “For now, I desperately hope for a ceasefire in Gaza and urge governments to halt the unfolding crisis. Our hope lies in finding the empathy to recognize this dire humanitarian situation.”
Lipa concluded the message with, “Sending love to Palestinian and Jewish communities worldwide, who bear this burden more heavily than most”.
IN THIS PHOTO: Dua Lipa
There does seem to be a split between artists who have addressed what is happening to Palestinians, and those who feel they have to be neutral or not make a stand. That does not suggest a lack of empathy. Many cannot put into words how they feel. Others wonder what the repercussions are of saying anything about a situation that divides people. We want a ceasefire, yet there are people out there who support Israel and feel that they are in the right. I do wonder, going forward, how artists en masse will react. Maybe a charity movement or something where they combine and send this powerful message. I am not suggesting something like Live Aid - though there is enough passion and anger out there so that artists can come together and do something. There are those who have remained quiet or do not want to voice their opinions. I don’t think it is on the shoulders of them to do something. They are entitled to handle and process events as they see fit. As I say, whereas many have said something and attacked what is happening to both Palestinian and Israeli civilians, I do think that there are some major artists who have not voiced their concerns. We will see the conflict coming into music more. I have written about whether artists are activated enough when it comes to addressing war, climate change and other big themes in music. There definitely needs to be music made where ceasefire is called for. Where those in the wrong are highlighted and condemned. It is hard for the biggest artist to potentially risk quite a lot speaking. Even so, given we are talking about humanity and destruction of innocent people, this less political. It is about discussing the genocide that is claiming thousands. If an artist has a stance and opinion, it is important that they voice that – even if it means losing some fans or the label penalising them or trying to ‘defend’ their position. At such a scary and harrowing time, music can change things and heal. At the moment, as many artists as possible need to get involved and stand with Palestine. Let’s hope that this happens more and more…
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
AS the atrocities continue.