Greek composer adds voice to anti-Semitic chorus

Jerusalem Post ^ | Nov. 11, 2003 | HERB KEINON

[yonif]

Greek composer and cultural icon Mikis Theodorakis added his contribution to the anti-Semitic miasma rising in parts of the world by characterizing the Jews as the root of the world's evils.

Theodorakis, a towering figure in Greek music best known outside his native land for scoring the music for the film Zorba the Greek, took his shot at the Jews at a press conference to launch a new book.

"We, the Greeks, did not turn aggressive like them because we have more history," Theodorakis was quoted by Y-net as saying. "Today it is possible to say that this small nation is the root of evil. It is full of self-importance and evil stubbornness."

According to the Y-net report, the Greek education and cultural minister were in the audience at the time, but did not respond.

Theodorakis, responding to recent comments by a Greek statesman that the Greeks and Jews are similar because neither have friends, said, "The fact that we are very calm and did not turn aggressive like them is because we have more history. They only have Abraham and Jacob, who were shadows, while we have Pericles. Imagine what would happen in Greece if we were as aggressive as the Jews."

The composer added that the Greeks are not characterized by the fanaticism of the Jews.

Israel's Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling on Greek leaders and cultural figures to distance themselves from the remarks.

"The Israel public is utterly repulsed" by Theodorakis's "anti-Semitic comments," the statement said, and expressed regret that they were spoken by someone of his stature.

"We do not believe that the comments reflect the position of the Greek government, and therefore expect Greek leadership and cultural figures to denounce them," the statement read."

Labor Party head Shimon Peres, who returned Tuesday from a brief visit to Greece, said in response to Theodorakis comments that Israel's image in Europe is very bad. "There is anti-Semitism and a great deal of hatred to Israel," Peres said. "It is impossible to build a new Europe on old racist positions."

[Feldkurat_Katz]

Ginsberg was a jino pederast;

True. I was hinting at the fact that today's Greeks aren't particularly big on pedophilia.

but man-boy "love" was a well-documented feature of Greek "civilization."

Again, true. I think using quotation marks around civilization is somewhat unfair. If Greeks contributed only Aristotle and Archimedes to our civilization, it would still be a huge contribution indeed.

PS, I love your analysis here

Thank you.

PPS - I tried babel fish but no luck; WTH is Feldkurat in English?

Feldkurat Katz was one of protagonists in a classic satirical novel. In Austro-Hungarian army, Feldkurat was the official title of a military chaplain.