(Jewish Group) US weighs in on Roger Waters antisemitism debate, artist has long history of bigotry

[Behind the Aegis]

US weighs in on Roger Waters antisemitism debate, says artist has long history of denigrating Jews

The Biden administration is weighing in on the controversy over Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, saying his recent performances in Germany were antisemitic, an assessment shared by many in Israel and the pro-Israel community.

The State Department said Tuesday that Waters has “a long track record of using antisemitic tropes" and a concert he gave late last month in Germany “contained imagery that is deeply offensive to Jewish people and minimized the Holocaust.”

The comments came in a written response to a question posed at Monday’s State Department press briefing about whether the administration agreed with criticism of Rogers from the U.S. special envoy to combat antisemitism, Deborah Lipstadt.

“Special Envoy Lipstadt’s quote-tweet speaks for itself,” the department said.

“The concert in question, which took place in Berlin, contained imagery that is deeply offensive to Jewish people and minimized the Holocaust," the department said. “The artist in question has a long track record of using antisemitic tropes to denigrate Jewish people.”

more...

Bigots gonna bigot and have enablers make excuses for them, because...well, Jews.

[werdna]

1. A big mistake by the pro-Israeli biden Admin.

I believe there is a big difference in being antisemitic and being anti-Israeli government policies in relation to Palestinians. Roger Waters, who has made some horrific statements in support of Putin's Russian invasion of Ukraine and on other political issues, is making it as clear as he can that his performance of songs from, using props from, the Pink Floyd album/movie, The Wall, that he is anti-fascist - and, evidently, that means something slightly different to him than it may to you or I - and anti-Israeli government, not antisemitic. What he is being cited for pertains to "disturbing the peace". I did not read any articles about riots, or any form of violent outbreaks at his concert, or after his concert anywhere in Germany. One lone Rabbi made a complaint to the press, is alI I have found thus far. Disapproval of a peoples government policies should not be confused with disapproval of the people. Not all Jews in Israel agree with or condone the policy decisions of their government regarding relations with the Palestinians.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Actually, it is a good thing.

It is refreshing to see people inhabiting the same political space not making excuses for anti-Semitism and to be willing to stand up to it. The Biden administration's refusal to let anti-Semites off the hook because they are on the left. It is nauseating how many on the left seem to think anti-Semitism is OK, as long as it comes from the left and is disguised, usually loosely, as "criticism" of Israel.

It is disgusting and discouraging how many on the left will rail on and on about racism, sexism, transphobia on the left and how we need to "be better", but when it comes to anti-Semitism, they have a HUGE blind spot to and love to "'splain' anti-Semitism to Jews and in general. When it comes to most minorities, it is important to be "woke", but when it is Jews, then they become comatose.

And, because it ALWAYS has to be said in these discussions, because any disagreement always leads to false accusations; no, not all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic, most isn't. Some is simply regionalism, a form of bigotry often overlooked, but some is anti-Semitism, and it is just as bad when some on the left does it as it is when it comes from the right.

BTW, did you actually read the article or just react to the title of the article in the Jewish group?

[werdna]

3. Yes, of course I read the article -

- and several others, including one from the Israeli Times; it's how I attempt to be objective minded. I stand by my assertion that not all Jews live in Israel and/or support the policies of that government; they do not necessarily conflate the religion of Judaism and Israeli government policy. That's all I wish to say on this subject in this forum. Label me as antisemitic if you wish and consider me comatose if you must. I don't know anything about you, nor you me. Long life and love to you and yours.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. I see...

I ask, again, because you claimed:

I did not read any articles about riots, or any form of violent outbreaks at his concert, or after his concert anywhere in Germany.

And yet, that doesn't appear in the article posted HERE, nor did I or the article make any claims to that effect: a strawman. So, if you are claiming that this was the case, you should have quoted said article. As for that "lone Rabbi"....

Women hold Israeli flags as they take part in a demonstration against a concert later the day of former Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters in the Festhalle, background, in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, May 28, 2023. The Festhalle was the the place where in the night of broken glasses 1938 about 3000 Jewish men where gathered to deport them to concentration camps. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
© Provided by The Associated Press

That is LITERALLY from the article, thus my asking you if you read THIS article.

I stand by my assertion that not all Jews live in Israel and/or support the policies of that government; they do not necessarily conflate the religion of Judaism and Israeli government policy.

This is known as a STRAWMAN, a logical fallacy. NO ONE, certainly not me, claimed any such thing.

Label me as antisemitic if you wish and consider me comatose if you must.

I don't know anything about you, nor you me.

Your "concern" is more about him being a tankie, than being concerned his actions could be seen as anti-Semitic. That says a lot.

Long life and love to you and yours.

Ditto.