Palming off antisemitism as 'art'

Antisemitism comes in all shapes and sizes – from the very subtle to the extremely blatant. But the one thing both forms have in common is that they’re easily detectable – especially to those who are Jewish.

And while efforts can be made to disguise the obvious, trying to sell it to the public as “an art form” is not only disingenuous but insulting to the intelligence of the public at large, who knows bigotry when they see it.

That was the offensive miscalculation of Scottish rock band, “Primal Scream,” which showed antisemitic imagery at their latest London concert which took place on December 8th. The video clip, projected onto the backdrop behind the musicians, displayed political figures, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose eyes were depicted with the Star of David intermingled with swastikas.

The band Primal Scream have got some strange taste in background videos, like Netanyahu with swastikas in his eyes... pic.twitter.com/d3fPOk7tkX

— The Electronic Uprising (@uprising_1) December 11, 2025

Claiming the film to be “a piece of art, drawing from history,” the group was apparently unprepared for the harsh reaction they received, which included a formal complaint to the Metropolitan Police, made by The Community Security Trust (CST) an agency that provides protection to UK Jewish communities.

It’s hard to know whether the disgraceful performance was meant to be an exercise in seeing how far the envelope could be pushed when it comes to trying to palm off antisemitism as art or free speech or whether, as they said, it was simply meant to provoke a debate.

But in this case, where hateful and holy images were combined as if they belonged together, a red line was clearly crossed by the three members, two of whom are over the age of 60 and should have a sense of proper decorum. 

Back in the 1970s, when Hare Krishna devotees were in the height of their popularity, they believed that even bad press about them was desirable.  Likewise, Primal Scream, succeeded if that was their goal. They will forever be remembered as imbeciles who cared nothing about decency and morality. 

When the title of your latest album is XTRMNTR, why not go for broke by invoking Holocaust imagery which is reminiscent of a time in history when six million Jews were exterminated. 

They know that it was those wearing the swastika symbol who hunted down Jews, often able to physically identify them by their facial appearance? Although 80 years have passed, since those dark days, we are, yet again, seeing a repeat of that unjustified loathing directed at one specific ethnicity. 

Is Primal Scream unaware that Jews are now the target of mass hatred and persecution throughout the world, especially in the U.S., Australia, Europe?

Or, perhaps they are aware and purposely set out to feed the fire which began on October 7th. Because it seems as if they knew all-too-well what they were doing. Their flimsy defense of such tawdry and inflammatory visuals, being a form of art - protected under the laws of a free and democratic society, was clearly pre-planned.  

But as long as the alternative electric neo-psychedelia band preserves their edgy, rebel image and gets people talking, that’s seems to be what is most important to them!

It’s not even creative, because this was just the latest round of a political copycat performance gone bad, by sick and twisted musicians, who join the ranks of “Kneecap,” the Irish rap group which performed at the Glastonbury Festival, back in July, leading the obnoxious chant, “Death, death to the IDF.”   

Those Glastonbury festival organizers claimed to be appalled by what lead rapper Bob Vylan thought he could pull off. Similarly, in this more recent incident, Bobby Gillespie, the group’s lead singer was said to have gone too far with his outrageous stunt.  Not only was their judgment deplorable, but the pitiful attempt to justify such a despicable act, simply added insult to injury.

Hiding behind “freedom of expression” is about as absurd as it gets, especially in today’s UK.  Because over the past couple of years, they have broadened their definition of hate crimes, adding to them “offenses for stirring up hatred based on age, disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity, religion and more.”

Being found guilty of such speech can easily land you in prison, even for the most innocent of offenses. But this was far from innocent. It was a well-planned stunt, meant to combine a musical performance with a highly-charged political/racial controversy.

The venue managers, “The Roundhouse,” who hosted this Primal Scream event, wasted no time offering up an apology, saying that “they were appalled that antisemitic imagery was displayed, adding that it was done entirely without their knowledge.”  

Their official statement read, “We deeply regret that these highly offensive images were presented on our stage and unequivocally apologize to anyone wo attended the gig and to the wider Jewish community. Our organization absolutely condemns antisemitism in every form.”

As the intensity grows against Jews in the UK, this type of blatant antisemitic expression can only add to an already hostile atmosphere which has Jews wondering how much longer they can call this area of the world their home. 

Already overrun with extremist Muslims, whose protests have led to violence against members of the local Jewish community, the ever-growing anti-Israel and anti-Jewish sentiment that has come in the form of banning certain products or boycotting the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, such as was done by Ireland, is sending a loud message.

Jews, whether from Israel or from the U.K. have outworn their welcome and are being visually shown the exit door. There is really no other way to interpret the hateful presentation which was then characterized as art. 

Rather than portray the beauty, creativity or skill, for which true art is known, it is the ugly, grotesque and hideous visual effects which are being compared to the enchanting and elegant visions that sane people view as art, adding worth and value to society.

Conversely, antisemitism is among the greatest destructive forces which tears down humanity, detracting from the gift of life which is to be cherished and protected.

Ironically, Primal Scream’s failed attempt to sell us a bill of goods, by labeling hate as art, is enough to make anyone yell uncontrollably. as suggested by the name of their group - if for no other reason, to mourn the loss of their human decency.