forthcoming meeting in Brighton at which Gilad Atzmon is speaking.
For those who have never heard of him, Atzmon is a well-known jazz player
(BBC record of the year 2003) and also a dedicated anti-Semite. Jean Calder's
article is excellent because it makes the point that one effect of accusing all
supporters of the Palestinians and anti-Zionists of anti-Semitism is that you
cheapen the currency and make it difficult for people to discern the real
thing.
Calder has been an outspoken supporter of EDO, Omar Degayes, anti-war and the
Palestinians so she can't be accused of taking a Zionist position on the
question of Palestine or succumbing to the normal Zionist abuse.
Atzmon, like David Icke, is a true believer in conspiracy theories,
especially of the Jewish kind. He has supported a variety of holocaust deniers
and has come close to the position himself.
When Icke tried to speak in Brighton, many years ago, we stopped his meeting
taking place. The intention this time around is not to stop the meeting but
highlight Atzmon's pernicious views which, in their attempt to blame 'Jews' let
western imperialism off the hook for Israel's actions
A picket is being organised 1/2 hour before the meeting. In view of recent
events regarding their accusations of 'anti-Semitism' against demonstrators
against Israel's bombing of Lebanon, and the complaints which the IPCC upheld
against them, I suspect the Police will be in some difficulty.
Organised by Brighton Jews Against Zionism, Brighton & Hove Unemployed
Workers Centre and supported by Sussex Action for Peace
Tony Greenstein
>>Come and hear
Gilad Atzmon speak about The Primacy of the Ear - The Road from Music to
Ethics
An alternative take on the Israeli Palestinian conflict and peace activism in
general 7.30 p.m., Monday 7th January 2007 at the Roundhill Room, Brighthelm
Centre, North Road, Brighton Gilad Atzmon is a jazz musician, author and
antizionist. He was born a secular Israeli Jew in Tel Aviv and trained at the
Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. He then studied philosophy at Tel Aviv
University and later at Essex University before moving to London at the age of
thirty-two. Atzmon has been accused of antisemitism, but responds by
questioning the concept itself: "Because antisemite is an empty signifier, no
one actually can be an antisemite and this includes me of course. In short you
are either a racist, which I am not, or have an ideological disagreement with
zionism, which I have." He describes himself as a Hebrew-speaking Palestinian.
In this talk, which will be illustrated with live performance, he will describe
his encounter with Arabic music, and where it led him.
There is no charge for this event