Zorba can kiss my ass.

[The Pioneer]

You know it is a funny thing these days but as soon as you say something about Jews you are labelled as an anti-semetic or whatever. One is entitled to his opinion I say, even if it is the wrong to everybody else. You cross the line when you stop úsing words like Sharon and his politics.

Under the pretense of "the was against terrorism" Sharon and Bush, two like minded blood driven and exteremely dangerous, are making this world very unsafe.

So long....

PS: Geia sou Paikti!

So long...

[MarkG]

from Mikis' official page

http://www.mikis-theodorakis.net/declar121103-e.htm

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.”

[Pekka]

paiktis, pioneer, you have the same chick as your avatar? Is this something extremely kinky? You have it on tape?

[MarkG]

good lord this is amazingly funny

from miki's official site guestbook

I was in Greece in 1968 when it was a crime to play your music. You had a reputation as a peace loving person and students loved you. Your recent anti-semitic remarks are hurtful and ill informed. The Jews and the Greeks both have long and rich histories and have contributed greatly to world civilization. Jewish history is no more aggressive than Greek History. For a person who has known suffering and has shown courage you should be ashamed of yourself for your anti-semitic remarks. You should publicly retract them. Please remember that the last time the world went on a Jew hating rampage, Greece was invaded and the venerable Jewish communities of Salonika, Rhodes and other communities were destroyed. Do you want your statements to result in Jewish blood being on your hands? Do you place yourself with the Nazi's and their anti-semitisim? The Palestinians have done many terrible acts in Greece as well as Israel. Why support murderers? Do you think it difficult for them to ally with a Turkish militant group to begin bombings in your home city?
Please reply in person. This is a serious thoughtful comment.
Michael

[MarkG]

this is fun

Dear Mr. Theodorakis. Please know that there are several websites sponsored by Jews who are anti-Zionist on the internet that discuss the contrast between the heresy of Zionism and Judaism. The websites are: www.jewsagainstzionism.com, www.nkusa.org and www.jewsnotzionists.org.

You will surely find them interesting! The world must know the truth that Zionism is NOT Judaism!!!

[MarkG]

simply amazing

Many people here in Israel listen to Greek music and love your songs. We were all shocked to read about the recent press conference in which you made antisemitic remarks. I guess that we Jews will have think of you as being another Wagner: a musical genius tainted with racism.

[Az]

oh bull. That's not what he said. If he'd just say that he used the wrong words, I'd have little problem with it. Incidentally, I am not labeling 'The Pioneer' an anti-semite, though I like the way he'll ignore the quote and the thread, to protect a national icon . Neither do I find anything anti-semitic in Theodorakis' current statement, for all of you smartasses.

The fact is, what he said differs quite a lot from what he claims he said in the official statement. If he made a mistake, I think he'd be much smarter if he'd just say that he used the wrong words. Is it so goddamn hard?

I guess it is.

[The Pioneer]

Originally posted by Pekka
paiktis, pioneer, you have the same chick as your avatar? Is this something extremely kinky? You have it on tape?

No, I wish. It is the only thing I like about the french, a pop star called Alizeè with devent music.

So long...

[MarkG]

The fact is, what he said differs quite a lot from what he claims he said in the official statement. If he made a mistake, I think he'd be much smarter if he'd just say that he used the wrong words. Is it so goddamn hard?

the man is 80, he is a legend and would not(i'm sure i wouldnt) make any kind of "i made a mistake" statement to please people who didnt even try to think for a second before judging him and his history or who tried take advantage of the situation...

[Az]

nothing amazing about this, MarkG. I really fail to understand how can you miss that his words were anti-semitical?

Reading. it's not as difficult as it sounds.

[The Pioneer]

It's what I said earlier, we have gotten to the point where you cannot say anything about the americans or the jews. It is a pity....

So long...

[MarkG]

Originally posted by Azazel
nothing amazing about this, MarkG. I really fail to understand how can you miss that his words were anti-semitical?

whatever he may or may not have said are overcome by his actions(for the Jews among other nations). therefore i give him the benefit of the doubt(at least) over any newspaper that likes to sell copies with the "world hates us" headlines...

[Az]

Originally posted by MarkG
the man is 80, he is a legend and would not(i'm sure i wouldnt) make any kind of "i made a mistake" statement to please people who didnt even try to think for a second before judging him and his history or who tried take advantage of the situation...

"tried to take advantage of the situation"? who the hell can take advantage of the situation?

And it sadden me to hear that you think that people that are legends are entitled to say whatever the **** they want to. EVEN WHEN THEY'RE 80. Just as we booed our own 78 year old ex president for anti-gay remarks, so was the entire spectrum of the Israeli public repulsed by this statement.

I am honestly very sorry that he said what he said, but this kind of statement was ultra-stupid, and saying he "has chosen the wrong wording" ( not sorry, god forbid, since it would remove for it's eternal glory) wouldn't hurt him, at all.

But no! Instead, he chose to ignore the fact that he said the words that he did say, and replied to a real-life strawman, and many others, even here on apolyton, tried to defend his words, saying 'you can't criticize anything Israel does, or you'll be called anti-semitical', while what he was saying WAS anti-semitical. Just as statements of a famous Israeli singer in support for transfer, pushed him into the fringe ( though in his case, this was no mistake). You have a responsibility for the things you say, and Israelis don't hold anyone for a double-standard.

[MarkG]

i simply find more possible that some newspapers want to sell copies rather than mikis hating jews....

so it's not about "legends" saying whatever they want, it's about thinking before judging them based on a single sentence

[MarkG]

and btw i think you're excercising the fanatism that he talked about chill out, the world is not out to get you