Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas: ‘Privileged’ Zionists talk ‘like Black people during slavery’
by The Washington Times AI News Desk · The Washington TimesThe Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas sparked controversy this week after claiming that “American Zionists” enjoy the benefits of White privilege while speaking as though they are the oppressed. The inflammatory remarks came days after his band used its Coachella set to condemn U.S. and Israeli military actions in Iran and Gaza.
The comments were made Tuesday during an appearance on “SubwayTakes,” a viral YouTube web series in which comedian Kareem Rahma rides the New York City subway with celebrities and asks them to share their most controversial opinions. The full, uncut 21-minute video was posted to the show’s YouTube channel, which has nearly 1 million subscribers. A shorter version that omitted the remarks about American Zionists was shared to the show’s Instagram and TikTok accounts, which have larger followings.
“Well, it’s been nice having a career,” Mr. Casablancas said before delivering his take. “American Zionists get the benefits of White privileged people, but talk like they are Black people during slavery.”
Mr. Rahma responded immediately, as he typically does on the show: “100% agree.”
Mr. Casablancas went on to preemptively address those who might invoke the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
“Just for the people that are going to be like, ’Hamas, October 7 —’ yes, bad,” he said. “But, you know, Native American rebellions didn’t mean it was okay to do what we did. Slave rebellions that were violent didn’t mean that slavery is not bad. You know what I mean? So, that’s the scope of that answer. Just to be — for the haters, for the media illiterate.”
Mr. Rahma added his own view, saying he found it baffling that American supporters of Israel claim to be oppressed while attending celebrations in Tel Aviv.
The remarks were in keeping with Mr. Casablancas’ recent political stances. Days earlier, The Strokes closed their second Coachella weekend performance with a politically charged video montage set to their 2016 song “Oblivius” — the first time the band had played it in concert since that year. The video accused the CIA of engineering regime changes across decades and concluded with footage captioned “Over 30 universities destroyed in Iran” and an image of the al-Israa University in Gaza, described as the last university in the strip, being demolished. Mr. Casablancas repeated the song’s chorus — “What side you standing on?” — as the band walked off the stage.
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Mr. Casablancas had previously signed a 2021 letter calling for a cultural boycott of Israel.
The frontman launched The Strokes with their 2001 debut album “Is This It,” widely credited with igniting the garage rock revival of the early 2000s. The band won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2021 for “The New Abnormal.” Their next album, “Reality Awaits,” is scheduled for release on June 26.
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