400+ singers and artists boycott Israel due to “ongoing genocide” in Gaza
More than 400 singers and artists around the world have announced their participation in a cultural boycott aimed at removing their music from Israeli digital streaming platforms in protest of the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Children are suffering – no music
Images of Palestinians — especially children — suffering from hunger amid Israel’s continuing attacks on Gaza have fueled growing global outrage and calls for action. According to Haaretz, the initiative, launched under the slogan “No Music for Genocide,” urges artists to withdraw their works from Israeli platforms as a form of protest, the Turkish news agency Anadolu wrote.
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Signatories include prominent names such as British band Massive Attack, Scottish group Primal Scream, and American indie act Japanese Breakfast, as well as US singer-songwriter Carole King, Japanese pop star Rina Sawayama, and Danish artist MO.
In a statement released by the campaign organizers, the boycott seeks to pressure major record labels — including Sony, Universal, and Warner — to follow the example they set after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by taking similar steps against Israel.
Broader wave of protests
“Culture can’t stop bombs on its own,” the statement read. “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.”
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The boycott is part of a broader wave of protests and cultural, sports, and artistic actions around the world opposing Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza.
Hungary’s neighbour also protesting
Fifty-two members of the European Parliament from 15 countries on Thursday called on the European Broadcasting Union to bar Israel from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, citing the ongoing war in Gaza.
In a letter to the European Broadcasting Union, the lawmakers argued that Israel should face the same treatment as Russia, which was banned from the competition in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine. The initiative was spearheaded by left-leaning parties in the European Parliament.
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The letter also referenced ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court into alleged war crimes and genocide by Israel, arguing that its participation in the contest would undermine European values and serve to normalize atrocities.
The call comes after several countries — Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain — said they would not take part in Eurovision if Israel is allowed to compete.
Hungary’s position
In August, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said he and his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, were in agreement on the need to improve access to humanitarian aid as well as the need for Hamas to immediately release all of its hostages, including the last Hungarian hostage. They were also in agreement on the need to restore the local population’s right to security without the threat of terrorist attacks and airstrikes, and that Hamas must not have any function in the Middle East in the future, he said.
In April, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an official visit to Hungary, where he was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán despite the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against him. Following the visit, the Hungarian government announced its decision to withdraw from the ICC, signaling a bold stance on the controversial issue.