PRO-PALESTINE campaigners have slammed a major music venue over its “inaction” on a pro-Israel band set to perform next week.
Metal band Disturbed is scheduled to play the OVO Hydro on October 28 but has been widely criticised for its pro-Israel stance, with frontman David Draiman previously signing Israeli missiles.
The group had a recent concert in Belgium cancelled due to their endorsement of Israel and more than 1000 campaigners have reportedly urged both First Minister John Swinney and the Hydro’s management to “take a stand” against pro-genocide artists.
A spokesperson for Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card said: “Despite raising our concerns months ago, we are yet to hear from the Hydro’s management.
“As for the response received from the First Minister’s office, it is tepid and fails to acknowledge the gravity of a pro-Israel band, whose lead member David Draiman has posed with Israel’s occupation force and proudly shared images of himself signing bombs destined to kill men, women and children in Gaza.”
Scotland for Palestine accused Swinney of displaying “blatant double standards”, referencing calls he made for rap trio Kneecap to be axed from music festival TRNSMT earlier this year.
The group was dropped from the slot over "policing concerns" and later slated the First Minister during a subsequent sold-out gig at the O2 Academy prior to the festival.
“Earlier this year, Scotland’s First Minister was very vocal against outspoken critics of Israel, Kneecap, performing in Glasgow. However, he has yet to respond to serious concerns against Disturbed playing on Scottish soil,” a spokesperson for the group said.
“If John Swinney really wanted to convince people he cared for the plight of Palestinians, then he would put words into action and call for Disturbed’s concert to be cancelled. Just as he did for Kneecap.
“Remaining silent and allowing Disturbed’s gig to go ahead will be yet another example of blatant double standards.”
Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card added that its ethos was “largely inspired by the sports and cultural boycott of apartheid South Africa” and it “must continue [that] legacy” by demonstrating against artists like Disturbed.
A protest gig is set to be held outside the venue on the same day, kicking off at 5.30pm. Those involved will be raising money for Gaza Sunbirds, a Palestinian paracycling team.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The First Minister has been resolute in his condemnation of the actions of Israel in Gaza.
“Ministers have no say in operational decisions for the Hydro. However, they are clear that anyone with a public platform must conduct themselves appropriately and condemn any language which incites hatred or violence.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Event Campus, which includes the OVO Hydro, said: “The SEC welcomes many and varied performers, artists and speakers to its venues and believes that all have the right to freedom of expression. By doing so, the SEC expresses no view on any content, beliefs or values of any performance or performer.”
