Since the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, all members of Radiohead have received frequent demands to speak out about the continued occupation of the Palestinian territory and the genocide commited in the Gaza Strip. The band already starred in a controversy in 2017, when they wrapped up their tour in support of their latest album, A Moon Shaped Pool, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Jonny Greenwood also received backlash more recently for performing in the same city in support of his collaborative album with Israeli artist Dudu Tassa.

Yesterday (30 October), during the encore of Thom Yorke’s solo concert at Sidney Myer Busic Bowl in Melbourne, Australia, the singer walked off the stage for a couple of minutes after being confronted by a heckler from the audience.

@makzym8 Melbourne night 2. Guy then got got by the Karma Police #radiohead #thomyorke #melbourne ♬ original sound - Maxim

Although it’s difficult to discern some of the words, it’s clear that the singer’s silence on the conflict in Palestine is being questioned. “What will it take for you to condemn the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Already 200,000, half of them are children, how can you be silent,” the heckler shouted. “How many dead children will it take for you to condemn the genocide in Gaza?”

The Radiohead frontman responded, “Come up here and say that, right here, come on. Get up on the fucking stage and say what you want to say. Don’t stand there like a coward, come here and say it.”

“You want to piss on everybody’s night? [...] Okay, you do? See you later”

Yorke then stormed offstage. The crowd responded with boos and contempt for the protester, but after a few minutes, Yorke returned to play the last song, which, coincidentally, happened to be “Karma Police”.

The Needle Drop may earn an affiliate commission via purchases on ticket links through this article.