In light of Israel’s ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, we recognise the role that artists, promoters and venues can intentionally or otherwise play in “artwashing” apartheid and genocide, sanitising and normalising these atrocities. Performing at complicit Israeli venues or festivals at any point would have been morally wrong, however, normalising relations with Israel’s apartheid regime particularly since the onset of its genocide in Gaza is especially egregious.
Artwashing is a powerful "Hasbara" or propaganda tool used to divert attention from Israel’s long list of human rights abuses and war crimes against the entire Palestinian people by leveraging cultural activities and artistic performances.
As a grassroots movement aiming to fight the whitewashing of Israel’s oppression against Palestinians through the use of art and culture, Musicians for BDS started this initiative to empower promoters and venues to take a stand. By refusing to book artists and DJs who have consciously chosen to perform at complicit Israeli music institutions after the start of its genocidal campaign in Gaza, we can collectively work towards ending the normalisation of these crimes through art. Now is the time for the music community to move closer towards an ethically consistent isolation of Israel as a rogue state, just as apartheid South Africa was once isolated, by upholding the principles of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).
Musicians for BDS have created the "Artwash Database” to empower promoters, booking agents, and venues to ensure that their future events are all Artwash-Free Events.
The Artwash Database contains artists and DJs who performed at complicit Israeli venues & parties after the onset of the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
We invite you to read & sign the below pledge to set an example of responsible & ethical bookings for the rest of the industry to follow, as well as to stand in solidarity with the Palestinians.
As an individual or organisation working in the music events industry, I/we pledge to:
Refrain from booking any artists or DJs who performed at complicit Israeli venues since the start of its genocidal campaign on Gaza, making use of the Artwash Database where necessary. We uphold the guidelines of the BDS movement to promote ethical bookings in line with the Palestinian call for the cultural boycott of Israel.
Please note: Musicians for BDS adheres to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Any attempts to utilise this pledge to spread racist language or incite against people from any background will be instantly reported and removed.
