Big Thief cancel shows in Israel after widespread backlash

Indie folk-rock band Big Thief have cancelled their two upcoming shows in Israel, following widespread internet backlash.

The group first announced their decision to play Tel Aviv earlier this month, with a statement posted to Instagram. The message, a near exact copy of the one they released in 2020 when the shows were supposed to take place, explained that they felt it was important to go due to the fact that the city was the hometown of their bassist, Max Oleartchik.

Among other things, they explained that they were "well aware" of the ongoing BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement against the Israeli government in relation to their treatment of Palestinians, but, "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." They finished the statement promising to donate the profits from the shows 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 announcement was met with widespread, immediate backlash — leading many fans to boycott Big Thief entirely. Since, the band has decided to back peddle; posting to social media this afternoon a revised statement cancelling the shows, as well as apologising to "those we hurt with the recklessness and naivete of our original statement on playing in Israel."

We will be canceling our 2 shows in Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/ocSFtgnYz4

— Big Thief (@bigthiefmusic) June 9, 2022

“Our intent in wanting to play the shows in Tel Aviv, where Max was born, raised, and currently lives, stemmed from a simple belief that music can heal. We now recognize that the shows we had booked do not honor that sentiment," the post reads. "To be clear, we oppose the the illegal occupation and the systematic oppression of the Palestinian people. We believe in total freedom and self-determination for all Palestinians."

The venue in Tel Aviv responded on Facebook. The post is written in Hebrew, and the translation is muddy, but the translated version reads: "Big Thief canceled their show in Israel!!! We didn't call, we didn't ask, there wasn't a producer who contacted and bought the show. This came from them, a request to perform in Israel, and that's after being canceled due to Corona. BDS has been with us for 20 years hasn't changed since the last time they were in Israel."

Read the full statement from Big Thief, below:

We will be cancelling our 2 shows in Tel Aviv.

We would like to start by clarifying a few things about our first post. 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 is calling for a cultural boycott. This was not in reference to the Israeli occupation and the displacement of the Palestinians.

To be clear, we oppose the the illegal occupation and the systematic oppression of the Palestinian people. We believe in total freedom and self-determination for all Palestinians.

Although we have much to learn, these basic realities were never in question for us. We acknowledge that aspects of our previous post were written unclearly and in avoidance of the magnitude and importance of this conversation. We also recognize that there are limitations to our perspectives based on our various layers of privilege. We said we are “well aware of the cultural aspects of the BDS boycott” and we have since realized that that is not the case.

Since announcing these shows in Israel we have been in constant dialogue with friends, family, BDS supporters and allies, Palestinians, and Israeli citizens who are committed to fight for justice for Palestinians. It has been the only thing on our minds and in our hearts.

Our intent in wanting to play the shows in Tel Aviv, where Max was born, raised, and currently lives, stemmed from a simple belief that music can heal. We now recognize that the shows we booked do not honor that sentiment. We are sorry to those we hurt with the recklessness and naivete of our original statement on playing in Israel and we hope those who were planning to attend understand our choice to cancel them.

We recognize that withholding our cultural labor alone cannot be the only action we take. We have more learning to do so we can take more informed action.

As a band, we consider each other family, forever reaching to understand each other. In your responses to our actions, you have helped us realize that we were in avoidance of entering this discussion about Max’s home in a more thoughtful way.

We are committed to growing from this, and moving forward with the transparency, accountability, and import that such a situation requires.

With love,
Big Thief