Big Thief have announced the cancellation of their two shows in Tel Aviv, as well as apologized for the "recklessness and naïveté" of their previous statement explaining their decision to perform in Israel.
"Our intent in wanting to play the shows in Tel Aviv, where Max [Oleartchik, bassist] was born, raised, and currently lives, stemmed from a simple belief that music can heal," the quartet said in a new statement. "We now recognize that the shows we had booked do not honour that sentiment."
"When we spoke of 'loving beyond disagreement' and 'not knowing where the moral high ground lies,' that was in specific reference to playing shows in Israel during a time when BDS [Boycott, Divest, Sanctions movement] is calling for a cultural boycott," they clarified of their previous post, which was a near-verbatim copy of one issued on Facebook in 2020, after it was met with backlash. "To be clear, we oppose the illegal occupation and the systematic oppression of Palestinian people."
They went on to say that they have been in "constant dialogue" with friends, family, BDS supporters and allies, Palestinians and Israeli citizens "committed to the fight for justice for Palestinians" since announcing the shows, writing: "We recognize that withholding our cultural labour alone cannot be the only action we take."
The band concluded: "We are committed to growing from this, and moving forward with the transparency, accountability and import that such a situation requires."
According to a report by The Observatorial, Barby — the Tel Aviv venue they were supposed to perform at — messaged ticketholders with the update, writing: "Big Thief's shows have been cancelled because they are cowards."
See the full statement from the band below.
"Our intent in wanting to play the shows in Tel Aviv, where Max [Oleartchik, bassist] was born, raised, and currently lives, stemmed from a simple belief that music can heal," the quartet said in a new statement. "We now recognize that the shows we had booked do not honour that sentiment."
"When we spoke of 'loving beyond disagreement' and 'not knowing where the moral high ground lies,' that was in specific reference to playing shows in Israel during a time when BDS [Boycott, Divest, Sanctions movement] is calling for a cultural boycott," they clarified of their previous post, which was a near-verbatim copy of one issued on Facebook in 2020, after it was met with backlash. "To be clear, we oppose the illegal occupation and the systematic oppression of Palestinian people."
They went on to say that they have been in "constant dialogue" with friends, family, BDS supporters and allies, Palestinians and Israeli citizens "committed to the fight for justice for Palestinians" since announcing the shows, writing: "We recognize that withholding our cultural labour alone cannot be the only action we take."
The band concluded: "We are committed to growing from this, and moving forward with the transparency, accountability and import that such a situation requires."
According to a report by The Observatorial, Barby — the Tel Aviv venue they were supposed to perform at — messaged ticketholders with the update, writing: "Big Thief's shows have been cancelled because they are cowards."
See the full statement from the band below.
