Calls made for strike in solidarity with Palestine from within the dance music community
A number of artists, label and radio stations are going on strike, urging for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
[This article was originally posted on October 20 on Mixmag.]
Members of the dance music community went on strike in solidarity with Palestine on October 20, and calling for others to join them.
The strike called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced and more than 3,700 Palestinians, including over 1,500 children, have been killed following bombardment from the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) in retaliation of the Hamas attack on October 7, which has killed 1,400 Israelis, and saw at least 200 others abducted and held hostage by Hamas.
German groups Palästina Spricht and Palästina Kampagne began the call for a global strike in "solidarity with Palestine and our people".
Radio stations, DJs, artists, labels and events companies have come together in solidarity with those facing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging others in the industry to take a stand.
Palestinian techno DJ Sama’ Abdulhadi announced the cancellation of her North American shows this past weekend “due to the escalation of the attacks on Palestine and Gaza specifically”.
“This is a really tough period,” she said. “I hope you understand. For now, we really need your help putting pressure on your governments to stop the massacre in Gaza.”
Amman-based producer Toumba also announced his part in the strike, explaining: “In light of the recent atrocities being committed by the Zionist occupation in Gaza, I have made the decision to go on strike and cancel my performances this [past] weekend for Insomnia Festival and no_one.”
“I urge my colleagues to do the same, get on the streets and amplify the voices that need to be heard,” he added.
Manuka Honey announced the cancellation of her show at Amsterdam Dance Event as part of the global strike, adding: “I urge my peers and comrades in the music industry to adhere to this call to action and do the same.”
An open letter calling for “an immediate ceasefire and the opening of Gaza’s crossings to allow humanitarian aid to enter unhindered” has also been published for musicians to sign, which has so far been signed by over 2,000 artists including Shanti Celeste and Ben UFO.
Krakow-based festival Unsound has also joined the strike, call for "peace and dignity for all".
Radio stations have also shown their support for those facing humanitarian crises in Gaza, including foundation.fm, which will remain off air in solidarity with the global strike, NTS, which closed its offices in London and Los Angeles, and Bethlehem-based station Radio Alhara, asking “all musicians to cancel their October 20 performances”.
“No legal or financial consequences can match the hardship faced now by the Palestinian people, and if threatened by such we should ask promoters and presenters what they themselves are doing to counter the ongoing catastrophe,” reads a statement from Radio Alhara.
Israel has now besieged Gaza, blocking food, electricity, fuel, medicine and water from accessing the territory. “We are putting a complete siege on Gaza… No electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed,” said Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant earlier this month.
The UN has said that water has now become a “matter of life and death” for people in the Gaza Strip, with clean water running out and Gaza’s only power station now out of fuel.
The BBC reported that water for basic needs in Gaza is running dry, while no supplies have been allowed into the Gaza Strip for over a week. Gazans can only access three litres of water per day.
Labels and promoters across the world are launching fundraiser events and compilations with donations going toward humanitarian aid in Gaza. London venue Colour Factory hosted a ‘Dance For Gaza’ fundraiser event on October 21, with all proceeds going to PCRF.
DJ, producer, Saffron Records mentor and tutor Outsider has published a charity compilation, fundraising for Palestine Children's Relief Fund and Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Find a list of charities you can support in aid of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza below.
- Palestine Children's Relief Fund
- Medical Aid for Palestinians
- UNICEF Gaza Emergency
- Grassroots Al-Quds
- Alliance For Middle East Peace
- Islamic Relief
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- Human Appeal
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter
