The silent treatment

Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack tells William Parry why he is boycotting Israel.

By William Parry Published 03 September 2010

The movement for a cultural boycott of Israel in response to its treatment of the Palestinians, modelled on the boycott of apartheid South Africa, could eclipse decades of disingenuous political charades in engaging western intellectuals, academics and artists. Internationally renowned figures such as Naomi Klein and Ken Loach have supported the call, and now one of Britain's most successful bands, Massive Attack, is publicly backing the boycott.

“I've always felt that it's the only way forward," Robert Del Naja, the band's lead singer, tells me when we meet at the Lazarides gallery in Fitzrovia, London. Del Naja is an artist as well as musician and his face and fingers are speckled with paint. Dozens of his pictures are strewn
all over the wooden floorboards, drying. "It's a system that's been applied to many countries. It's a good thing to aim for because it applies the continual pressure that's needed."

Musicians have a history of rallying the public to supporting political causes. The global anti-apartheid movement got the fillip it desperately needed when musicians began supporting it. The single "Sun City" by Artists United Against Apartheid in 1985 and the 70th-birthday tribute concert for Nelson Mandela at Wembley in 1988 catapulted the cause into millions of ordinary homes.

“I think musicians have a major role to play," Del Naja says. "I find the more I get involved, the more the movement becomes something tangible. I remember going to 'Artists Against Apartheid' gigs, and 'Rock Against Racism' gigs around the same sort of time. Bands like the Clash and the Specials had a lot to do with influencing the minds of the youth in those days." Those formative experiences are still evident in Massive Attack's outlook today. A typical gig by the band is a blistering fusion of music with political messages and statistics flashed up on video screens, while the band regularly lends support to humanitarian causes.

Calls for a boycott were first issued five years ago by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, but a series of developments beginning with the Gaza war in winter 2008-2009 have led to rising support for the campaign. After Israel's deadly raid on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in May this year, a number of leading artists, including the Pixies, Elvis Costello and Gorillaz, cancelled concerts in Israel. In August, 150 Irish visual artists also pledged not to exhibit in Israel, but it is musicians who have been the most prominent international supporters of the boycott.
Their views are not unanimous, however. Other musicians, from Elton John and Diana Krall (Costello's wife) to Placebo and John Lydon, have refused to cancel concert dates in Israel. Some have insisted that engagement with Israel is more productive - a stance that Del Naja rejects. "We were asked to play Israel and we refused," he says. "The question was asked: 'If you don't play there, how can you go there and change things?' I said: 'Listen, I can't play in Israel when the Palestinians have no access to the same fundamental benefits that the Israelis do.' I think the best approach is to boycott a government that seems hell-bent on very destructive policies. And it's sad, because we've met some great people in Israel, and it's a difficult decision to have to make."

Beyond the arts world, an increasing number of trade unions, student unions and churches are signing up to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Even an Israel-based group, Boycott from Within, backs the campaign, stating that its government's "political agenda will change only when the price of continuing the status quo becomes too high . . . because the current levels of apathy in our society render this move necessary".

“We are not going to achieve a quick liberation," Del Naja concedes, but says the point is to apply "pressure, the continual pressure that's needed". And the threat of international isolation and economic repercussions is clearly starting to bite: Israel's parliament, the Knesset, recently passed the first reading of a bill that would impose heavy fines on Israeli citizens who initiate or support boycotts against Israel, and a bill to bar foreigners - like Del Naja - who do the same from entering Israel for ten years.

“The boycott is not an action of aggression towards the Israeli people," he says. "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."

William Parry's "Against the Wall: the Art of Resistance in Palestine" is published by Pluto Press (£14.99)

You can read further thoughts from Robert del Naja on the Israel boycott on our blog, Cultural Capital

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View the discussion thread.

111 comments

Tue, 2010-09-07 18:23 — fairplay (not verified)

great band. fantastic live. and sound morals. what more could you ask for????

Tue, 2010-09-07 18:26 — Avonshire (not verified)

Exactly! its as western as western gets!

As a Huge Massive Attack fan, I am deeply dissapointed in this, and kind of Ashamed to have their art work on my wall, especially after visiting many beaches in Israel and hearing their music proudly being played at beach bars and clubs all around the country.

I think people forget the larger messages here and forget that Israel has always tried to have some kind of talks with the Palestinians, as they did with Egypt and Jordan who now have peace and fair trade within the countries.

We are talking about a people who's main focus is the destruction of Israel, plain and simple!

The other Arab countries dont want them, because they are considered the lowest of the low for reasons such as the constant destruction of a nation that has the right to exist.

As a former South African, I think it is very hard to compare Israel to an Apartheid state, especially when people in these territories have the rights to go to schools and vote democratically.

Del Naja! Its not Israels problem if they wont allow people to come out to your concerts! Why dont you be a man and go do a show in one of the territories,

Israel has the right to protect its borders from people whos sole purpose is blowing themselves up in a crowd of people, is that what you want to happen at your concerts? I dont think so!
Go do a show in one of these stadiums where its ok to still publicly stone women and homosexuals for being who they are! Im sure the "voted" in Hamas militants will be happy to escort you.

Lets not forget what is happening to your fellow England and what it will become in the next 30-50 years.

I think all these bands pathetic, and you are right its not about Anti-Semitism which is the best comment that was made throughout that interview, because a lot of people mistake it for being that, but I think having a say in this political issue is not going to achieve anything.

Stand up for the people of Burma, or the people of Tibet who are being mis-treated by the same people who perhaps make your fancy equipment and clothes you wear.
Stand up for people in African countries who are being slaughtered every day because of religion and greed in many countries.

Stand up for the people of Iran who are trying to be heard at this time and who are worried if this dictatorship does not stop that their families will be killed.

STAND UP!!!

the Palestinians are now self governed with their own ports, it is not Israels problem to take care of them while the rest of "Islam" sits aside waiting for the destruction of Israel to happen!

Speak to any one of your Israeli friends and ask them how Israeli's take care of one another in every situation possible!!
I dont know to many Hamas and Hezbollah militiants who use children as shields who would think the same way!!!

How can I listen to the wonderful music of Massive Attack after reading this B.S

Sat, 2010-09-04 16:42 — A believer in peace (not verified)

Del Naja is Naive. The BDS Movement is catalized by a group of people who are not seeking for peace, but only to bash Israel. see
http://reut-institute.org/Data/Uploads/PDFVer/20100612%20ReViews%20-%20BDS%20Issue%2016%20-FINAL%20(2).pdf

Tue, 2010-09-07 18:35 — Beast Of No Nation (not verified)

Boycott Israel! Ignore the racists supporters of Israel!
So you expect the Palestinians to sit back and watch you steal their land. What would you do if a group of people stole most of your land? We witnessed the brutal and indiscriminate bombing of Gaza a couple of years ago, we watched TV news where Israelis lobbed rocks and stones at a packed Gaza bazaar, we watched a TV documentary on Hebron, a city of checkpoints, a checkpoint every 100 metres, Apartheid checkpoints; Jews were waved through while every adult Palestinian was stopped and made to wait in the baking sun for over an hour while the IDF soldier faked a conversation on the phone with his superior. We saw Jewish kids ambush Palestinian kids on their way home from school, lobbing rocks and stones at Palestinian kids despite the presence of International observers.
Excuse me! Israelis living on stolen land must realise that land belongs to Palestinians! They, the Palestinians, have every right to fight back.
Israel is a Racist, heartless state; as far as they are concerned the Palestinians are not humans, they have zero respect for Palestinians. Boycott Israel! Don't be intimidated by threats and accusations of Anti S-tism. Just like South Africa, one day Palestinians will be free from oppression, intimidation and murder.
People around the World are sick and tired of this abuse, nothing to do with Anti S-tism, a lot to do with being human and having a heart.

Wed, 2010-09-08 15:33 — DSMer (not verified)

"Israel"?..funny that, I give them another 60 years.. max

Sat, 2010-09-04 16:44 — A believer in peace (not verified)

http://reut-institute.org/Data/Uploads/PDFVer/20100612%20ReViews%20-%20BDS%20Issue%2016%20-FINAL%20(2).pdf

Sat, 2010-09-04 16:45 — A believer in peace (not verified)

sorry - link j did not work, try:
http://reut-institute.org/en/Publication.aspx?PublicationId=3868

Sat, 2010-09-18 13:34 — Andrei (not verified)

Horrible, horrible people! I am tired of people like you deciding my Jewish State (the only Jewish country, vs hundreds of Christian and Muslim countries) is wrong to exist. Why the double standard?

Why after having killed (or permitted for that to happen) my family in Hungary and Romania, just because they were Jewish - now, when we are in our country, which existed for thousands of years (see Jesus, you fools!) - you now insist I should return to blood drenched Europe?!

Sat, 2010-09-04 16:48 — mabutaleb

"Context is everything - Whether you like it or not Israel was built on a legitimate UN vote which Arab countries boycotted."

That's a joke, really! Hasbara employees like to use UN resolutions only when its convenient. the hundreds of UN resolutions ignored by Israel are not worth mentioning.

BDS is the only way forward. Its about time we end the last Apatheid state in the world.
Zionism cannot be defended on moral grounds. It can only be defended with oppression, lies and manipulation (Hasbara).