Israel, the DEI exception to 'everyone': How the music industry lost its moral compass – opinion

The author, a former music industry professional, argues that the industry's commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles has faltered, particularly concerning Israel following the October 7, 2023 attacks. Having previously championed initiatives against sexual violence and discrimination, the author notes a shift where the music scene, once founded on "radical inclusion," began to exclude Israelis and those perceived as Zionist. This is exemplified by artists like Kehlani and Fontaines DC's Carlos O'Connell making anti-Israel statements, and Bob Vylan leading "Death, death to the IDF" chants at Glastonbury, which the BBC broadcast. The article highlights cancellations of peace-building collaborations and a geo-block boycott campaign, "No Music for Genocide," targeting Israel, while similar actions were absent for other global conflicts. The author concludes that the industry's DEI values now appear to have an exception for Israelis and Jews, prioritizing "ideological purity tests" over universal principles of safety and inclusion.