Nurul Izzah urges Radiohead to play for Palestine

PKR vice-president MP Nurul Izzah Anwar has sent a letter to British rock band Radiohead asking them to perform for “charitable Palestinian causes.”

In the undated letter, Nurul Izzah acknowledged Radiohead’s unpopular decision to perform in Tel Aviv in July last year may have been construed as tacit endorsement for Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

However, she said that she believes the band is also sensitive to human rights abuses the community has suffered.

“Hence we suggest a concern for Palestinian charitable causes, to remind everyone of the universality of music and peace as a key unifying tool.

“It is our hope that you will consider this proposal. Not just for the purpose of performing for a noteworthy cause, but to also give another reason to cheer in a year of many firsts for us,” she said in her letter.

Nurul Izzah tweeted a copy of the letter yesterday evening, saying, “Dear @radiohead. In case your inbox is full, please have a read of this request from Malaysia – nothing like performing for a cause as meaningful as the lives of young Palestinian children.”

In her letter, she noted that recent US foreign policy moves, such as ending funding for the UN Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), had deprived nearly 300,000 children of educational opportunities.

“Whatever small steps we can take hope to redress balance in this ongoing conflict, moving toward permanent peace,” she said.

Nurul Izzah, who is also a fan of the rock band and had previously performed its songs, said in a July 2013 interview with Esquire magazine that the then-opposition coalition would bring the band to Malaysia if it ever won federal power.

Pakatan Harapan took over Putrajaya after winning the 14th general election on May 9 this year.  - Mkini