HÖR is Israeli Owned

Keep Genocide Out of Our Raves

2 minutes, 16 seconds
Posted on 19th Jun 2026
Staff

Did you miss the HÖR Berlin censorship scandal? The iconic DJ platform banned artists for wearing Palestinian symbols and silenced pro-Palestine voices, we can't let genocidal forces have power in our culture.

If you didn’t know, now you do. HÖR, the iconic Berlin-based DJ streaming platform famous for its minimalist, "backrooms"-esque bathroom setting, has found itself at the center of a firestorm over its censorship of pro-Palestinian expression. While the controversy erupted in late 2023, it has flown under the radar for many and for those who missed it, the implications are worth examining.

The incidents that sparked the backlash took place on November 3, 2023.

In Copenhagen, DJ Téa was asked to remove their keffiyeh. Later that day in Berlin, DJ Sam Clarke had his set cut short after just 20 minutes because his shirt, which displayed the Palestinian flag and the word "Palestine" in Arabic, was deemed unacceptable by platform staff. According to HÖR's own account, their content moderation team felt these items "could be perceived as offensive and calling for the eradication of Israel." In an email sent to artists in its database, HÖR's two Israeli founders stated they "wholeheartedly support the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and freedom" and claimed they "have not, and will not, censor flags or peaceful slogans." However, they immediately undercut that position by declaring that "there are symbols that, for some audiences, are controversial, which we will not allow."

Critics have pointed out the glaring double standard: HÖR previously allowed an artist to wear an "ARM UKRAINE NOW" shirt and burn a poster of Vladimir Putin on set, yet a Palestinian scarf or a map of historic Palestine crosses the line.The electronic music community responded swiftly. Artists including Pretty Privilege, 1 1 1 1hz, and DINA requested their past sets be removed from the platform in solidarity. Montreal duo Pelada cancelled their upcoming HÖR stream. Others like umru, river moon, and Bored Lord joined the growing calls to boycott the platform and have their archived performances taken down.

HÖR has also been accused of banning DJs who voice support for Palestine. The platform's half-hearted 2023 statement, its only public response to date, has done little to quell the outrage. No meaningful update has been issued since.

So what's our take? There are better YouTube channels for discovering DJs and better ways to enjoy the scene that don't involve supporting censorship, Israeli interests, or genocide. For our British audience, we'll say it since you can't: We support Palestine Action.

Free Palestine.