‘Just Here for the Music,’ Fans Stand by Band Amid Pro-Palestine Protests

MELBOURNE, Australia—Melbourne-based fans of Israeli electronic dance group, Infected Mushroom, have dismissed claims that they “support genocide” during a stop on their Australian tour.

The band performed live as pro-Palestine rallygoers protested outside the Forum Melbourne venue on Flinders Street on Nov. 3.

Infected Mushroom fans say they came in support of the group’s musical endeavours.

“Bottom line, everyone is here to listen to music. It has nothing to do with anything else,” Yam Tahar, an attendee, told The Epoch Times.

“The artists themselves, it’s not like they’re currently active in this whole situation. It’s more about the fact they’re here to play a show.

“Political views and music are very different things.”

Musical artist Kentakte said he attended the gig to enjoy the band’s music.

“We love music. If no one can speak the [common] language in a room and someone in the middle is playing the drums, everyone is going to start tapping along and enjoying the music,” he said.

“It’s just music, man. We just love music—that’s it.”

Band Seeks to Provide ‘Common Ground’ Through Music

Last month, the band released a statement saying that their music seeks to “provide common ground when politics fail.”

“Our goal has always been to promote peace, healing, and coexistence through our music.

“The horrific massacre on October 7th where more than 411 innocent people were brutally murdered by extremists and terrorists while dancing at Nova Festival, was painful in our community.

“We live in a world where opinions are often mistaken for facts, and narratives are easily taken as reality. We respect all perspectives and welcome dialogue within our community,” the band said.

Around 1,200 Israelis have died since the start of the Hamas-Israel Defence Forces war, which began after Oct. 7, 2023.

Subsequent claims have emerged from pro-Palestine supporters and the Gaza Ministry of Health that over 60,000 innocent lives have been lost in the conflict. This figure has been disputed by the Israeli government.

Band Accused of ‘Supporting Genocide’

On Nov. 3, pro-Palestine supporters handed out flyers that claimed, “Infected Mushroom are not merely Israeli activists–they have actively supported the genocide [war in Gaza].”

The flyers, which were distributed by Free Palestine Melbourne, also claimed that in November 2023, the band raised money for the Tel Aviv Foundation and Tribe of Nova.

“Tribe of Nova’s co-founder also set up an ‘intelligence centre’ that worked directly with the Israeli military to help identify targets in Gaza,” it said.

“By supporting these groups, Infected Mushroom directly contributed to Israel’s military campaign during the genocide.”

In response, Infected Mushroom said it had “never raised money for military activity,” and that they “do not create art to push political agendas.”

“A member of the band has served in a non-combat unit (as it is compulsory to do so after you finish school),” the band clarified.

“We are musicians … We released a track with Omer Adam as a tribute to a young woman murdered in the horrific attack, using the Israel flag in artwork as an expression of grief.

“Our shows are about music, unity, and healing. To frame music as complicity in violence is unfair and disregards the role art plays in building bridges.”

Clash of Ideas Led to Band Pulling Out of Festival

In July, Infected Mushroom pulled out of the Earth Frequency Festival due to political reasons.

This year, Earth Frequency organisers implemented a commitment requiring artists to pledge their support for First Nations sovereignty, to “oppose all forms of racism and oppression” such as anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and to not align with human rights abuses.

“It is intended to clarify our approach to inclusivity and platforming responsibility, and to show compassion and support to the situation happening right now in Gaza, and to the victims of terrorist attacks such as the October 7 Nova Festival,” the Earth Frequency Festival website states.

Infected Mushroom subsequently released a statement saying it chose to “sit out” the Earth Frequency Festival due to division within the festival’s community over divisive political exchanges.

“Following this announcement, we obtained a copy of a press release sent by the Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine Group to Australian media on 3rd July 2025,” the band said.

“It falsely stated that EFFs Ethical Commitment Policy had ‘resulted in high-profile artist withdrawal’ and that the band ‘chose to exclude themselves rather than sign the Ethical Commitment Policy.’

“These two statements imply the band were asked to sign something and they refused. This was not accurate.”

Infected Mushroom said this led to factually-incorrect news articles resonating around the world, and creating further division, leading to the group deciding not to play at Earth Frequency Festival.

“To call for the cancellation of our shows simply because we are Israeli is hateful, anti-Semitic, and counterproductive. It does nothing to end the war or foster peace, and instead only deepens the cycle of division and hate,” the band said.