Julian Casablancas takes aim at American Zionists on Subway Takes: “White privileged people”
The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas has shared his opinion on “Zionists living in the United States”, deeming them white, privileged people who “talk like they are Black people during slavery”.
Casablancas made the statement while appearing on Subway Takes, a social media series where celebrities discuss one of their most controversial appearance with Kareem Rahma while riding public transport.
Acknowledging that it was a much-contested topic, Casablancas joked to Rahma that it was “nice having a career with you,” before stating, “American Zionists get the benefits of white privileged people, but talk like they are Black people during slavery.”
Rahma agreed with the frontman, calling their perspective “shocking”, before Casablancas clarified, “Just for the people that are going to be like, ‘Hamas, October 7th.’ Um, yes, bad.”
He went on, “But Native American rebellions didn’t mean it was okay to do what we did. Slave rebellions that were violent didn’t mean that slavery is not bad. So, that’s the scope of that answer. Just for the haters.”
The indie frontman added that it is hard to assimilate to this viewpoint as many attain long-held views about Israel: “Indoctrination is such a strong thing. We just want to be part of the tribe,” he conceded.
“So I get it,” he added, “but it is a sad fact the brainwashing of just people in general. You can’t be mad just because something was rammed down their throat, necessarily.”
Casablancas was asked whether he has “hope” that things will get better; “I don’t know if it’s now, but it could be today, could be tomorrow,” the singer stated, but people are “awakening,” and he is “optimistic” for eventual change.
Rahma suggested that the “cat’s out of the bag” due to Donald Trump’s presidency, while Casablancas agreed, “We’re just still mourning. People are still upset. They’re like in The Matrix. They’re like, ‘What the fuck?’ But eventually, they might become the One.”
Elsewhere in the interview, the singer-songwriter shared that he believes that political polarisation should end, with conservatives and progressives coming together to “do a non-corporate consensus populist party to fight the real billionaire gang agenda.”
These comments follow up a politically charged Coachella set, in which the band used their encore to depict a presentation that criticised the USA’s actions in Iran and Gaza, while also calling out the CIA for allegedly targeting world leaders.
Additionally, Casablancas addressed the crowd at their first Coachella show in the same provocative tone, sharing, “In six months, I think everyone who’s eligible for the military has to register. You guys excited?”
The Strokes will embark on their upcoming world tour from this coming June, in support of their forthcoming album, Reality Awaits.
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