Spotify removes violent anti-Israel songs

Spotify has removed songs containing “violent extremist content” following a petition organised by the grassroots campaign group We Believe in Israel (WBII) and the Board of Deputies.

A petition to the streaming giant to remove the songs was organised by We Believe In Israel and attracted nearly 4,000 signatures, after Jewish News reported on the campaign.

The Board also “made representations to the Secretary of State of Digital Culture, Media and Sport on the matter.”

One song removed Udrub Udrub Tel Abib includes the lyrics“Strike a blow at Tel Aviv and frighten the Zionists. The more you build it the more we will destroy it.

“Strike, oh Qassam missile, do not let the Zionists sleep. Even if they beg for mercy – be sure not to show Tel Aviv any mercy.”

Others removed songs include Arabic Katyusha and The Death of Israel.

Luke Akehurst, director of We Believe In Israel, said: “It’s good news that Spotify have finally listened to public disgust about hosting clearly antisemitic content which contravenes their own content policies, including directly inciting violence against Israelis. Now we need them to look at why they are hosting explicitly antisemitic and conspiratorial songs by Lowkey and Ambassador MC.”

Amanda Bowman, vice president of the Board, said: “We are pleased that Spotify have acted to remove certain material that clearly breached their own rules regarding hateful messaging. We hope that they will continue to apply these rules to works by other artists that similarly contravene their guidelines.”