Michael Stipe: “I Stand With Radiohead” in Israel Concert Controversy

Michael Stipe: “I Stand With Radiohead” in Israel Concert Controversy

“Let’s hope a dialogue continues, helping to bring the occupation to an end and lead to a peaceful solution”

Michael Stipe (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images); Thom Yorke (Photo by Roberto Ricciuti/WireImage)

Michael Stipe has pledged support for Thom Yorke and Radiohead’s decision to play a concert in Tel Aviv, Israel this week. In recent months, arts world figures including Roger Waters have condemned the group, advocating the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) against Israel. In an Instagram post last night, Stipe wrote, “I stand with Radiohead and their decision to perform. Let’s hope a dialogue continues, helping to bring the occupation to an end and lead to a peaceful solution.” See the post below.

Stipe’s friendship with Yorke dates back to the mid-1990s, when Radiohead supported R.E.M. in Europe, including a show in Tel Aviv. His statement arrives two days after Waters renewed his attack on Yorke, saying his “whining” and “isolationism” is “extremely unhelpful to everybody.” Yorke first addressed the controversy in June, saying the group’s critics assume “that [Radiohead] know nothing about this,” when in fact, Jonny Greenwood “has both Palestinian and Israeli friends and a wife who’s an…