Eric Clapton accused Israel of perpetrating genocide.
Eric Clapton calls out Israel for alleged genocide against Palestinians on social media. This is not the first time the renowned musician has taken a political stand alongside long-time friend Roger Waters. He also voiced anti-Semitic sentiments.
Tensions between Israel and Gaza escalated after a terrorist attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians on October 7 of the previous year. The conflict has divided people not only in the Middle East but also in the Western world, with some advocating for the elimination of Hamas in Gaza and the liberation of Israeli hostages held by them, while others glorify the Hamas attack as resistance and view Israel as the perpetrator. Most have apparently lost sight of the complexity of the situation in this region and its long history.
Those who consider themselves anti-Zionist criticize not only the actions of Israel's right-wing populist government led by Benjamin Netanyahu but also hold Israel solely accountable for the current situation. Prominent figures are not immune to this mindset. Following Greta Thunberg, Susan Sarandon, Cynthia Nixon, and Roger Waters, Eric Clapton has now joined the fray.
"Fighting Genocide in Gaza"
The 79-year-old musician recently posted on X: "Together with my dear friend Roger Waters, I support Andrew Feinstein, an independent candidate for Holborn and St. Pancras, in his campaign for the children of Gaza, for the freedom of the Palestinian people, and for the soul of humanity... Against the Genocide in Gaza ... For love and truth..."
Andrew Feinstein, a British candidate and a Jewish South African former ANC politician, accuses Israel of being an apartheid state and committing genocide against Palestinians. He is currently running as an independent candidate against Keir Starmer, the current Labour Party chair, in London's Holborn and St. Pancras region.
The ex-Pink Floyd star Roger Waters has repeatedly spoken out against Israel in the past. Authorities in Germany investigated him over allegations of inciting hatred, and the U.S. government even accused Waters of using anti-Semitic symbols. In performances, he was seen wearing a long black cloak with shoulder pads and a white circle with a symbol, which is often associated with anti-Semitism. Additionally, Waters has been a supporter of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) campaign for years, a transnational movement seeking to economically, culturally, and politically isolate Israel by accusing its perpetrators of "occupation and colonization of Arab land."
"Israel Is the One Pulling the Strings"
In an interview with "The Real Music Observer," Eric Clapton addressed the notion that musicians like him and Waters should focus on their art instead of taking political stands: "I don't respond well to the word 'should.' If someone tells me what I should do, I'll do the opposite. Not only out of spite but because they can't tell me how to live my life."
Clapton, who has been showcasing a painted guitar with the colors of the Palestinian flag, also said in this interview: "Israel rules the world, Israel rules the show." This statement touches upon an outdated anti-Semitic sentiment of a Jewish elite controlling global events. He also expressed admiration for the pro-Palestinian protests at various U.S. universities, where anti-Semitic slogans are often used and the existence of Israel is denied. And regarding Waters, he added: "I love Roger. I love him. We are brothers, and he's going his way, and that takes a lot of courage, and he's suffering terribly from it. I've seen him sitting on the window sill crying: 'It's morning in Manhattan and I'm dissolved in tears again.'"
However, he also had kind words to say about Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is presently engaged in a war against Ukraine: "He always tells you what he intends to do and he's honest about it."
With these recent remarks, Clapton feels the need to once again publicly endorse his one-sided perspective on the situation in the Middle East. Last year, he released a song titled "Voice Of A Child." The accompanying video portrays the devastation in Gaza, disregarding the terrorist attack on October 7 that led to this situation.
Throughout the pandemic, Clapton was vocal about his stance against COVID-19 measures and the vaccine. In an interview with "The Real Music Observer," he discussed the mass hypnosis theory – the idea that people have been hypnotized through YouTube and the media to accept vaccines: "Then I remembered seeing small things on YouTube that seemed like subliminal advertising." Some of his fans grew disillusioned with him at the time. The comments underneath his latest post convey a similar sentiment.
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Eric Clapton's support for Andrew Feinstein, a candidate accusing Israel of being an apartheid state and committing genocide, further highlights the hostility towards Israel in some circles. This follows Clapton's accusation of genocide against Israel in his social media posts and his repeated alignment with anti-Israel sentiments, such as Roger Waters' use of symbols associated with anti-Semitism.
Clapton's controversial statements about Israel, including his claim that "Israel rules the world, Israel rules the show," have drawn criticism for promoting outdated anti-Semitic sentiments. His stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has divided fans and garnered strong reactions, as seen in the comments underneath his recent posts.
Moreover, the use of Music as a platform to express political views, such as Clapton's painted guitar with the colors of the Palestinian flag, has the potential to exacerbate tensions and fuel the anti-Semitic discourse surrounding Israel and the Gaza conflict.
