Marvel star Mark Ruffalo joins opposition to Israel lobby campaign against Lowkey
The UK rapper is facing down calls for Spotify to delete his music.
Marvel actor Mark Ruffalo is the latest big name from the world of arts, music and culture to sign an open letter to Spotify in support of Lowkey, and against the Israel lobby.
Ruffalo is most famous for playing the Hulk in Marvel Studios’ Avengers films. But he’s also known as a campaigner — he endorsed Bernie Sanders for US president in 2019 and has a history of supporting Palestinian human rights.
The letter describes Lowkey as “the target of a coordinated smear campaign to demonize, defame and deplatform him.”
“Lowkey’s music has inspired and energized millions around the world,” the signatories explained. “As a relentless advocate for Palestinian human rights, he is a target for many who would rather his message not be heard.”
The rapper and Palestine solidarity campaigner has been the focus of a sustained Israel lobby campaign to cancel him from public life in recent weeks.
The latest salvo in this war is a new campaign by “We Believe in Israel”. The group’s director is Luke Akehurst, a notorious Israel lobbyist, former arms industry lobbyist and hard-right-Labour activist.
We Believe in Israel told anti-Palestinian newspaper The Jewish News last week that it is demanding that the streaming giant delete Lowkey’s music. They especially singled out his 2010 song “Long Live Palestine Part 2.”
As I reported for The Electronic Intifada yesterday, other stars of stage and screen have come out in support of Lowkey, including rapper Wretch 32 and model Anwar Hadid (the younger brother of supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid).
Social media is so full of support for Lowkey right now that it’s hard to keep up. But I’ve embedded some of the latest tweets below. Other big names are also being publicly released as the week progresses.
I also understand from Lowkey’s people that a public petition will be made available soon.
