Recent events in the Middle East have not only shaken political landscapes but have also resonated with names in the music industry. Among them, Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree took to Twitter to weigh in on the ongoing conflict, implying he is on Israel’s side.
In the wake of a major attack by Hamas on October 7 that left at least 1,300 people dead and resulted in numerous hostages, many artists have been moved to comment. Israel’s response has included retaliatory air strikes, with reports suggesting a potential ground offensive in the near future.
Wilson, observing these events and expressing his position, shared:
“It’s been devastating to see the events in the Middle East unfold over the last week.
I’m just a musician, but still, I know some of you do care what I think, so I want to be clear that I unreservedly support Israel and their right to take action to protect and defend themselves against the murderous and barbaric hate crimes carried out by terrorist organization Hamas against Israeli civilians. I believe Israel has been left with no alternative and that there is no ‘right’ thing left to do, only what has to be done, however unpleasant and difficult it may be.”
However, he also touched upon the broader human cost of the conflict, voicing his sympathy for the ones affected by the current situation:
“But I want to say that I also stand with all innocent men, women, children, and animals on both sides who have become caught up in this senseless situation, killed, bereaved, taken hostage, or displaced from their homes through no fault of their own. Hamas is the enemy here, with both Israelis and Palestinians as their victims.
We are living through sad and terrible times.”
Israel, in its strategy against the aggression, has relayed a relocation order for around 1.1 million people in the north of Gaza. Tensions have been further fueled as Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, persists in rocket attacks against Israel.
As the conflict continues, other artists have not remained silent. One Republic, in a recent statement, labeled the attacks as ‘sickening and savage.’
In a quest for potential solutions, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters has even proposed a four-point peace plan. He suggested a one-state resolution and envisioned a new state with equal rights for all its inhabitants.
You can see Steven Wilson’s tweet below.
— Steven Wilson (@StevenWilsonHQ) October 15, 2023
