The #HYBEDivestFromZionism movement is picking up pace steadily as fans mobilize online to denounce all association between HYBE and any known Zionist. The movement, initiated by Palestinian fans, started in response to the ongoing onslaught on civilian lives in Gaza, Palestine, by Israel. In a new development, a large number of TXT fans are now warning the label that they will boycott an upcoming song for having allegedly pro-Israeli producers on the track.
On March 26, KST, TXT revealed the tracklist of their upcoming mini album, Minisode 3: TOMORROW, which included a sub-unit track, “The Killa.” Initially, fans were excited about the song, especially since one of the producers from TXT’s previous hit, “Tinnitus,” was a part of this track as well.
minisode 3: TOMORROW – Tracklist#투모로우바이투게더 #TOMORROW_X_TOGETHER #TXT #minisode3 #TOMORROW #TXT_DejaVu pic.twitter.com/nj8M3xBolH
— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) March 25, 2024
PRODUCED BY EBBY THE KILLA (I BELONG TO YOU) YOU ARE ALREADY A CERTIFIED HIT pic.twitter.com/SRARvZwyCH
— crazy insane FLOVERMOA ✶༊ (@flovertxt) March 25, 2024
the killa (i belong to you) includes ebby as a producer! he worked with txt before for tinnitus pic.twitter.com/vgsSlnc6jX
— 🐈⬛ (@inhalingtxt) March 25, 2024
TINNITUS SISTER IS “THE KILLA” EBBY IS CREDITED ON IT YALL KNOW THIS ABT TO EATTTT
pic.twitter.com/mC0mj52vkR— 𐙚 Cece ⋆ ˚｡⋆ 🪽 (@ANGELTYUNIEE) March 25, 2024
That excitement, however, quickly became complicated when it surfaced that the production lineup included UV Killin Em, a producer from Tel Aviv, Israel. While some gave him the benefit of the doubt, pointing out that he has not posted any political opinion on his social media about Israel or Palestine, many have argued that this very silence makes it difficult for them to have good faith in his moral stance.
Would’ve loved to have enjoyed the album to its fullest but unfortunately The Killa is co produced by Israeli producer Uv Killin’ Em
Still think we’re safe, moas? Join the divestment campaign. We need ALL fandoms on board.#하이브는시오니스트를퇴출하라 #HybeDivestFromZionism https://t.co/fblUo9i3g7 pic.twitter.com/QlcZC3rfGz
— oongnyang² 🌟 (@txtligion) March 25, 2024
idk how to phrase this. does the uv killin em guy actually show support for israel? bc boycotting him bc he was born there has prejudicial implications. boycotting someone based off their race is a slippery slope.
is the money he makes from this song going to fund the war.
/gen
— berry ࣭꩜ ｡⋆༄ slightly ia this month (@fairyberrybeom) March 26, 2024
Was really excited for Txts track list until I saw that The Killa is partially produced by UV Killin Em…#투모로우바이투게더 #TOMORROW_X_TOGETHER #TXT #minisode3 #TOMORROW #TXT_DejaVu pic.twitter.com/pYuUfadpNT
— oongnyang² 🌟 (@txtligion) March 25, 2024
there are many ppl born in isnotreal that dont live there, denounced any zionist beliefs, and actively support palestinians. so unless that is his situation or the info on him being an israeli is just false altogether then i dont think any moa should stop the boycott of the track
— 🐈⬛ ☆ ໒꒱ ‧ ₊˚ (@yzztxt) March 25, 2024
For many pro-Palestinian advocates, Israeli citizens are often considered to be complicit in the subjugation of the Palestinian population, both through their participation in displacing civilians as settlers—going against international law—and through their mandatory military service in the IDF. These facts have spoken volumes to TXT fans who are focused on making sure HYBE is on the right side of history and want the company to “divest from Zionism.”
The issue got complicated further when Ebby, the aforementioned “Tinnitus” producer who also worked on “The Killa,” started responding to fans’ concerns regarding UV Killin Em. He responded to multiple fans with vague statements like that the claims of him being a Zionist were “not true” and “We love everybody over here!”
Ebby via Instagram stories pic.twitter.com/fpa30EeqmS
— Maryam ✶༊ (@txtdom) March 25, 2024
These responses were not satisfactory or clear enough for the dissenting fans, who later found out that Ebby is managed by a pro-Israel agency. This discovery put the credibility of Ebby’s statement into further murky waters.
EBBY, on ‘The Killa’, told us he was not a zionist.. but a MOA told me to look at his IG. The company that manages him is tagged in his bio. This is their pinned IG post. So you are not a Zionist but you work for a company who gives money to Israel..? What?! #TheRealKillaIsU pic.twitter.com/ihjhqJMJN3
— ًً (@MOA4PALI) March 25, 2024
As a result, a huge number of fans have announced that they will be boycotting the particular song, in line with the broader divestment movement. Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their dissatisfaction, using the tag #TheRealKillaIsU.
MOA 🚨 ‘The Killa’ is featuring UV Killin Em.. aka an Israeli artist. Palestinians and allies, we will not be streaming! Instead we will be trending #TheRealKillaIsU ! LETS GET #TheRealKillaIsU OUT THERE AND LET HYBE KNOW THAT HYBE MUST DIVEST. #HYBEDivestFromZionism https://t.co/kAziGxZ1qc
— ًً (@MOA4PALI) March 25, 2024
if you’re having a hard time seeing how crucial it is to boycott a song with zionist involvement, at least listen to what Palestinians are saying. stream the rest of the songs all you want but at least boycott this one track.#TheRealKillaIsU #HybeDivestFromZionism https://t.co/qd43Dif04G
— ☆ (@beomjjuni) March 25, 2024
We urge all hybe fandoms to boycott hybe content for all groups until hybe listens to our demands of divesting from zionist brands, collaborators and remove Scooter Braun #하이브는시오니스트를퇴출하라 #TheRealKillaIsU @HYBEOFFICIALtwt https://t.co/Ou1w8BdTaI
— shooky🍉 (@motionlessminpd) March 25, 2024
Meanwhile, fans in support of the #HYBEDivestFromZionism movement continue to push for the label to meet their demands through various other activities, including protest trucks, petitions, and physical demonstrations, with the primary emphasis being on the removal of Scooter Braun, the CEO of HYBE America. HYBE, however, is yet to respond to this constantly growing grassroots, fan-led movement.
