More than 400 musicians and rights holders have joined a new campaign urging music platforms to block access to their work in Israel, in protest of what organizers describe as “the genocide in Gaza.”
The initiative, called No Music For Genocide, includes artists such as Massive Attack, Rina Sawayama, Fontaines D.C., Primal Scream, Faye Webster, singer MØ and Japanese Breakfast.
As part of the campaign, some artists have manually restricted distribution areas for their works, while others have asked labels and distributors to block access in Israel.
The effort is led by independent musicians and labels but also includes artists signed to major labels. Together, they are calling on industry giants Sony, Universal and Warner to follow suit, pointing to the companies’ decision to suspend operations in Russia and block their catalogs there within a month of its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“Culture can't stop bombs on its own," organizers said in a statement, "but it can help reject political repression, shift public opinion toward justice, and refuse the art-washing and normalization of any company or nation that commits crimes against humanity. This initiative is one part of a worldwide movement to erode the support Israel needs to continue its genocide."
The statement added that the campaign draws inspiration from other boycotts in areas such as film and international trade.
“Many of our peers have felt, like ourselves, unsure how to use music in this moment," the group said. "Our first goal with No Music For Genocide is to inspire others to reclaim their agency and direct their influence toward a tangible act. We are so grateful for all of the artists, managers and labels who have already committed to this first step, and we’re excited to expand this together. The more of us there are, the stronger we will be. This is just the beginning."