Nick Cave has shared an open letter written to Brian Eno, criticising the music icon over his decision to boycott Israel.
The last twelve months have seen plenty of famed artists receive criticism over their decision to tour Israel. While Lorde was dubbed a “bigot” by a US newspaper after cancelling a planned visit, Lana Del Rey initially was resolute in her plan to tour the country, but also decided to cancel following backlash from her fans.
If you think back to 2017, you might recall how Nick Cave also received backlash over his decision to tour the country.
As a result, Artists For Palestine UK – which counts Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, and Brian Eno amongst its members – released an open letter to Cave, pleading with him to reconsider his choice.
While Nick Cave did eventually visit Israel last year, he defended his decision in his own open letter to Brian Eno, which he’s now shared on his website.
Responding to a fan’s question on The Red Hand Files, Cave explains that Eno is “hero”, and notes that because of this, a “thread of anguish” clearly ran through his letter to the ambient icon.
“Clearly the decision for The Bad Seeds to play in Israel is contentious for some people,” Cave wrote in his letter. “But to be clear on this: I do not support the current government in Israel, yet do not accept that my decision to play in the country is any kind of tacit support for that government’s policies.”
“As you know, I have done a considerable amount of work for Palestine through the Hoping Foundation, raising personally around £150,000 for the children of Palestine, so in a sense, I have already played the other side.”
Check out Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds performing in Tel Aviv:
“I also do not support the Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions movement, as you know,” he continued. “I think the cultural boycott of Israel is cowardly and shameful.”
“In fact, this is partly the reason I am playing Israel – not as support for any particular political entity but as a principled stand against those who wish to bully, shame and silence musicians.”
Following his publication of the letter, Nick Cave noted that his decision to tour the country still weighs on his mind from time to time.
“Occasionally, I wonder if The Bad Seeds did the right thing in playing Israel,” he explained. “I cannot answer that question. I understand and accept the validity of many of the arguments that are presented to me.”
“Indeed, some of my dearest friends in the music industry found my decision very difficult to accept, but there it is, after much consideration the decision was made: I simply could not treat my Israeli fans with the necessary contempt to do Brian Eno’s bidding.”
Read Nick Cave’s full response on his Red Hand Files website.
Nick Cave also announced back in October that he’ll be heading out on a series of in-conversation events around Australia next January.
Check out Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ ‘Jubilee Street’:
Conversations with Nick Cave 2019 Australian Tour
Saturday, January 5th
Performing Arts Centre, Wangaratta, VIC
Tickets: Official Website
Sunday, January 6th
Odeon Theatre, Hobart, TAS
Tickets: Official Website
Tuesday, January 8th
Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Sydney Opera House
Friday, January 11th
HOTA, Gold Coast, QLD
Tickets: Official Website
Saturday, January 12th
Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Official Website
Saturday, January 19th
Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Official Website
Tuesday, January 22nd
Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide, SA
Tickets: Official Website
Wednesday, January 23rd
Perth Concert Hall, Perth, WA
Tickets: Official Website
