1 min read
Composer and producer Brian Eno has refused to let an Israeli dance company use his music.
Batesheva, one of Israel’s most famous dance companies, uses one of Eno’s compositions in their dance routine HUMUS, and were set to repeat the performance – which has been part of their repertoire since at least 2013 – this week at the TorinoDanza festival in Turin, Italy.
After discovering that the Israeli group’s performance was sponsored by the Israeli Embassy, Eno denied the group permission to use his music, as “a way of taking this particular weapon out of [the Israeli government’s] hands”.
Mr Eno, who was a member of Roxy Music, is a prominent supporter of the BDS movement and is one of 1,700 artists to have signed the Artists’ Pledge for Palestine.
“It has recently come to my attention that you have been using a piece of my music in a work called HUMUS,” he wrote in a letter to the dance company.
“Though in one way I’m flattered that you chose my music for your work, I’m afraid it creates a serious conflict for me.”
He continued: ““To my understanding, the Israeli embassy (and therefore the Israeli government) will be sponsoring the upcoming performances, and, given that I’ve been supporting the BDS campaign for several years now, this is an unacceptable prospect for me.
“It’s often said by opponents of BDS that art shouldn’t be used as a political weapon. However, since the Israeli government has made it quite clear that it uses art in exactly that way – to promote ‘Brand Israel’ and to draw attention away from the occupation of Palestinian land – I consider that my decision to deny permission is a way of taking this particular weapon out of their hands.
“I am trying to understand the difficulties that must face any Israeli artist now – and in particular ones like yourselves who have shown some sympathy to the Palestinian cause.
“I feel that your government exploits artists like you, playing on your natural desire to keep working — even if it does mean becoming part of a propaganda strategy. Your dance company might not be able to formally distance itself from the Israeli government but I can and will: I don’t want my music to be licensed for any event sponsored by the Israeli embassy.”
