Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood recently reiterated that he believes music should exist beyond political boundaries, addressing renewed criticism of his work with Israeli artists and his history of performing in Israel. His comments came in a new interview with The Times, as the musician continues balancing high-profile projects inside and outside the band.
In a recent interview, Greenwood said music and art should be “above and beyond political concerns,” explaining that his 2023 album Jarak Qaribak involved Israeli, Iraqi, Egyptian, and Syrian musicians.
Greenwood argued that judging individual musicians by their governments would make collaboration impossible, saying that what defines artists “isn’t our nationalities.” The guitarist also referenced his work with Israeli singer Dudu Tassa and noted he has performed in Israel multiple times over the years, both with Tassa and with Radiohead.
“It’s very hard to talk about this,” Greenwood admitted, “but I think music and art should be above and beyond political concerns. You know I made an album [2023’s Jarak Qaribak] involving Israeli, Iraqi, Egyptian and Syrian musicians?”
He continued, “If I’m supposed to stop working with musicians because I dislike their governments then I wouldn’t work with any of them. The fact is, what defines us as musicians isn’t our nationalities. But that point doesn’t seem to get through.”
Outside the Radiohead orbit, Greenwood has stayed active in film composition and other ventures, including a recent dispute in which a Radiohead member sought removal from a Melania Trump film amid questions over how music gets used in political contexts.
Greenwood’s latest remarks underline the complicated intersection of art, identity, and geopolitics that major musicians increasingly face, particularly when their creative partnerships cross borders and attract public scrutiny.
