Posted on 11/15/2003 3:25:02 PM PST by yonif
Edited on 11/15/2003 4:14:31 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis has followed up with a written statement on his "root of evil" remarks.
My opinion of the Israeli people, as on all things, has always been known and I am frankly at a loss as to why such a great commotion was made this time, as if it was heard for the first time. Maybe some people judged this to be the right time to launch an attack on me.
I was always on the side of the weak, of those struggling for the Justice of People. And among them were the Israeli People. I sang their suffering as well as I could. I was always in favor of the peaceful coexistence of peoples. And I showed this in practice, when, among other things, I undertook a mediatory role between Alon and Arafat in the incidents of 1972.
But, precisely for these reasons, I am totally opposed to Sharon's policy and I have stressed this repeatedly, just as I have repeatedly condemned the role of prominent American Jewish politicians, intellectuals and theorists in the shaping of today's aggressive Bush "policy."
Only through a conscious effort can anyone confuse the Israeli People, for whom I have shown my respect and wonder in practice and these negative phenomena which are what truly blacken the image of Israel and play a genuine "anti-Semitic" role. It is these which are on the side of Evil, the root of Evil, as I stated recently.
Personally, I am happy because I know that there are many Israelis all over the world and within Israel who agree with me and are striving for the true Justice of their People and can coexist with the Justice of other People as well, who are struggling for Peace in their region and the whole world. I am happy that we have been together in these joint struggles for decades now. And I know that they know me well through these struggles and they are not waiting for the mud of some in order to get to know me.
But perhaps this is the aim of those who suddenly "discovered" my ideas and slander me as an alleged "anti-Semite."
Elsewhere on his site, the Greek composer writes regarding the war on Iraq.
I see Bush standing shoulder to shoulder with Genghis Khan, Attila and Hitler.
I view Americans responsible as detestable, ruthless, cowardly murderers of entire peoples.
From this moment on and forever after I will view as my enemy anyone who has anything to do with these barbarians for any reason.
The hatred of simple people from the entire world must rise like a great wave to drown them in shame.
On the web: mikis-theodorakis.net
That would be me! Thanks for making me your enemy. I've never met you, Mikis, but boy do I hate your guts already.
-ccm
He has declared war on the United States. He is an evil man and an enemy of people of good will everywhere. What a waste of Greek food ...
That would be barbaric.
As it happens I was talking by phone with a friend who's part-blood Onondaga Mohawk. He said he'd be happy to help. :)
Those who think the slightest criticism of the Israeli government is anti- Semitic are, I think, making an unconscious effort. Crying anti-semite is just a reflex, these days, of anything that whiffs of negative criticism of Israel. This guy elaborates and explains his statements, but the label will remain. That's just the way it works. The only people who aren't anti-semitic are those who support anything and everything the Israeli government and the IDF say and do. It's an anti-semitic world.
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