Big Thief are facing a backlash after announcing two shows in Tel Aviv.
The band will play shows in the Israeli city on July 6th and 7th, the home town of bass player Max Oleartchik.
In the statement confirming the dates, Big Thief set out to “clarify our motivations and intentions” while promising “as much transparency as possible…”
Big Thief wrote:
Over the last seven years we’ve traveled constantly around 3 of our members’ home country, the United States, meeting each other’s families and childhood friends and sharing in the joys and sorrows of a complicated, beautiful and tumultuous home. We have grown so close. It is important for us to share our homes, families and friends with each other in order to gain a deeper understanding of one another and the people and places that have made us who we are. It is important for us to go where we have family to share space and play for them. It is foundational. It is in that spirit that we made our decision to play in Israel.
We are well aware of the cultural aspect of the BDS movement and the desperate reality of the Palestinian people. In terms of where we fit into the boycott, we don’t claim to know where the moral high ground lies and we want to remain open to other people’s perspectives and to love beyond disagreement. We understand the inherently political nature of playing there as well as the implications. Our intention is not to diminish the values of those who support the boycott or to turn a blind eye to those suffering. We are striving to be in the spirit of learning.
With this in heart, the show’s profits will be donated to NGOs that provide medical and humanitarian aid to Palestinian children, including joint efforts between Palestinians and Israelis working together for a better future.
The move – and the statement itself – sparked an immediate backlash online:
@ big thief pic.twitter.com/Jbq1RzSv54
— generous liker (@faceplam) June 4, 2022
It’s SO funny that Big Thief got so big on the progressive/zlennial indie music scene, one of the biggest acts out here. Only to announce a show in Israel… w/ the “heartfelt” explanation of why they’re not bad people…. that’s COPY-PASTED FROM WHEN THEY DID THIS 2 YEARS AGO
— Researcher Caleb (@ProudUnionGnome) June 3, 2022
Big Thief did nothing but generate goodwill for 6 years and blew their load for two shows lmao
— keegan (@FranziaMom) June 3, 2022
Source: https://www.clashmusic.com/news/big-thief-face-backlash-after-announcing-israel-shows