Icelandic music icon Björk has pulled her entire catalog from Israeli streaming platforms, joining over 400 artists in the “No Music for Genocide” boycott movement that gained momentum in September 2025. The acclaimed musician implemented geo-blocking technology to prevent her extensive discography from being accessed on Israeli streaming services, aligning herself with other prominent artists like Massive Attack, Japanese Breakfast, Paramore, Kneecap, and Fontaines D.C.
The boycott represents a coordinated response to what participants characterize as Israel’s actions in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank. While Björk has not released a personal statement specific to this action, she has previously used social media to express support for Palestine, including sharing maps illustrating territorial changes in the region over time.
This latest protest action is consistent with Björk’s history of challenging music industry norms. In 2015, she particularly refused to release her album “Vulnicura” on Spotify, criticizing the platform as harmful to musicians and the broader artistic community. The artist has consistently maintained that streaming culture damages the artistic and economic ecosystem of music creation. Her participation in the boycott extends this pattern of using her influence to address both industry and geopolitical concerns.
The “No Music for Genocide” campaign specifically targets cultural normalization of policies deemed oppressive, drawing parallels to similar blockades enacted against Russia following the Ukraine invasion. The initiative focuses on raising awareness about alleged genocide in Gaza and conditions in the occupied territories. Organizers are calling on major record labels including Sony, Universal Music Group, and Warner to follow the artists’ lead in solidarity.
Despite her political activism, Björk continues her creative output unabated. Earlier in 2025, she released her concert film “Cornucopia” internationally, with a live album from the same tour scheduled for release on October 24, 2025. This release strategy demonstrates her commitment to brand storytelling while maintaining control over her artistic distribution channels. The artist has also been exploring sync deals as an alternative revenue stream, licensing select compositions for socially-conscious documentaries and independent films.
The growing boycott movement positions itself as part of a wider global effort that includes worker strikes, trade bans, and international coalition actions. Participants aim to shift public opinion, increase awareness of the conflict, and encourage the music industry to reflect on its ethical responsibilities in global political contexts, potentially influencing how artists engage with international platforms in contested regions.
