The rock band Primal Scream has defended a stage display at one of its gigs which has been described as “grossly antisemitic”, saying it was “meant to provoke debate”.
The Scottish group said that “freedom of expression is a right”, after it broadcast a video showing political figures including Binyamin Netanyahu with what appeared to be the Star of David combined with a swastika in their eyes during a performance of their song Swastika Eyes at the Roundhouse, a music venue in Camden, London.
In a statement posted on Instagram, they wrote: “The film is a piece of art. It clearly draws from history to question where the actions of current world governments sit in that context. It is meant to provoke debate, not hate. In a free, pluralistic and liberal society freedom of expression is a right which we choose to exercise.”
The Roundhouse has apologised to those who had attended the concert and the Jewish community, which has condemned the incident as a clear example of antisemitism and “unadulterated hatred”.
The Community Security Trust (CST), which provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, said that it had reported the band to police.
The Roundhouse said: “We are appalled that antisemitic imagery was displayed during a Primal Scream gig on Monday December 8 at the Roundhouse.
“We deeply regret that these highly offensive images were presented on our stage and unequivocally apologise to anyone who attended the gig, and to the wider Jewish community. The content, which was used entirely without our knowledge, stands against all of our values. Our organisation absolutely condemns antisemitism in every form.”
They added: “Acts of hatred, discrimination or prejudice of any kind are entirely unacceptable and have no place in our community or spaces. The safety of our staff and gig-going audiences remains of paramount importance to us.”
The band was founded by frontman Bobby Gillespie in 1982 and gained international fame in 1991 with their dance-rock crossover album, Screamadelica.
It was performing a 25-year anniversary show for the album XTRMNTR.
The CST said: “Entwining a Star of David with a swastika implies that Jews are Nazis and risks encouraging hatred of Jews.
“There needs to be an urgent investigation by the venue and the promoter about how this happened and we have reported this to the police.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “The Nazi swastika represents the ideology that inspired people to industrially slaughter six million innocent Jewish men, women and children by bullet, gas and any other means available.
“To visually combine that with the Star of David — the pre-eminent symbol of Judaism — is absolutely sickening and totally inexcusable.
“This isn’t art. This isn’t edgy. This isn’t political statement. It is unadulterated hatred, and a clear breach of the international definition of antisemitism.
It added: “We will be writing to the Camden Roundhouse and our legal team is examining the footage to consider further steps. Racism should have no place in the arts, but depressingly it is finding a very welcoming home there.”
The Metropolitan Police said: “On Wednesday, December 10, we received a report in relation to a video shown on stage during a concert at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm Road, Camden, on Monday, December 8. It is being assessed by officers.”
Bobby Gillespie has been outspoken about his opposition to the war in Gaza
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