TEL AVIV: Radiohead defied calls to boycott Israel over its occupation of Palestinian territory and played for tens of thousands in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
The band made no reference to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the rock group made its way through a more than two-hour set at the Park Hayarkon outdoor venue with some 47,000 in attendance.
Singer Yorke commented only once on the controversy, saying before launching into the band’s final song, “Karma Police:” “A lot of stuff has been said about this, but in the end we played some music.”
But those advocating a boycott accused Radiohead of having a double-standard.
Luke Jojee Wielgosz wrote on Facebook: “Radiohead shame on you. Thom Yorke you don’t get to play there and then simply claim that you don’t support the government. If you don’t support those criminals then don’t play there.”
A boycott campaign over Israel’s five-decade occupation of Palestinian territory has been under way for years, but Radiohead’s concert received particular attention due to the British band’s reputation for political activism.
Prominent artists including Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters and director Ken Loach called on Radiohead to cancel its show, as did Palestinian activists.
“Radiohead need to decide if they stand with the oppressed or with the oppressor,” Loach wrote in an opinion piece in Britain’s Independent. “The choice is simple.”
The movement that was behind calls for Radiohead to cancel is known as BDS — Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions — and says it is inspired by the campaign that targeted South Africa’s apartheid regime.
It is seeking an end to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and activists say bands such as Radiohead essentially cross a picket line when they play in Israel.
A number of politically active musicians have called off shows in Israel, including Lauryn Hill and Elvis Costello.
Radiohead defies boycott calls for Tel Aviv concert
Radiohead defies boycott calls for Tel Aviv concert
Some Warren Buffett wisdom on his last day leading Berkshire Hathaway
OMAHA, Nebraska: The advice that legendary investor Warren Buffett offered on investing and life over the years helped earn him legions of followers who eagerly read his annual letters and filled an arena in Omaha every year to listen to him at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meetings.
Buffett’s last day as CEO is Wednesday after six decades of building up the Berkshire conglomerate. He’ll remain chairman, but Greg Abel will take over leadership.
Here’s a collection of some of Buffett’s most famous quotes from over the years:
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“Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”
That’s how Buffett summed up his investing approach of buying out-of-favor stocks and companies when they were selling for less than he estimated they were worth.
He also urged investors to stick with industries they understand that fall within their “circle of competence” and offered this classic maxim: “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1.”
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“After they first obey all rules, I then want employees to ask themselves whether they are willing to have any contemplated act appear the next day on the front page of their local paper to be read by their spouses, children and friends with the reporting done by an informed and critical reporter.
“If they follow this test, they need not fear my other message to them: Lose money for the firm and I will be understanding; lose a shred of reputation for the firm and I will be ruthless.”
That’s the ethical standard Buffett explained to a Congressional committee in 1991 that he would apply as he cleaned up the Wall Street investment firm Salomon Brothers. He has reiterated the newspaper test many times since over the years.
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“You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.”
Many companies might do well when times are good and the economy is growing, but Buffett told investors that a crisis always reveals whether businesses are making sound decisions.
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“Who you associate with is just enormously important. Don’t expect that you’ll make every decision right on that. But you are going to have your life progress in the general direction of the people you work with, that you admire, that become your friends.”
Buffett always told young people that they should try to hang out with people who they feel are better than them because that will help improve their lives. He said that’s especially true when choosing a spouse, which might be the most important decision in life.
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“Our unwavering conclusion: never bet against America.”
Buffett has always remained steadfast in his belief in the American capitalist system. He wrote in 2021 that “there has been no incubator for unleashing human potential like America. Despite some severe interruptions, our country’s economic progress has been breathtaking.”
