Rock star accuses ‘Zionist’ Jews of benefiting from ‘white privilege’

Frontman for The Strokes sparks backlash with thinly veiled criticism of American Jews, downplaying antisemitism.

By World Israel News Staff

Julian Casablancas, frontman of The Strokes, has drawn criticism after making thinly veiled comments against American Jews, downplaying the impact of antisemitism while accusing Jews of benefiting from “white privilege.”

During an interview, Kareem Rahma, host of the podcast SubwayTakes, Casablancas took aim at Jews in the United States whom he described as “American Zionists,” arguing that they exaggerate the level of antisemitism in the US while enjoying what progressive activists have claimed are the systemic privileges allegedly enjoyed by whites.

“American Zionists get the benefits of white privileged people but talk like they are black people during slavery,” Casablancas said in Tuesday’s episode of the podcast.

“Well, it’s been nice having a career,” Casablancas said before launching into his diatribe.

In the same interview, Casablancas minimized the October 7, 2023, Hamas invasion of Israel, arguing that violent uprisings do not justify systems of oppression.

“Native American rebellions didn’t mean it was OK to do what we did,” he said. “Slave rebellions that were violent didn’t mean that slavery is not bad.”

Rahma said that he agreed “100 percent” with Casablancas’ comments, while citing Hamas’ casualty figures in Gaza.

“Zionists,” he said, claim to be “oppressed” yet attend weddings in Tel Aviv “when there are 80,000-plus dead people, including women and children, half a mile away.”

The comments came days after The Strokes used their Coachella set to denounce US foreign policy.

During the band’s performance of “Oblivius,” screens behind the group displayed a montage referencing CIA-backed overthrows and destruction in Gaza and Iran.

Casablancas has previously taken public political positions on Israel and US Mideast policy.

In May 2021, Casablancas joined more than 600 other musicians who signed on to a letter calling for a boycott of Israel.

“We call on you to join us with your name in refusing to perform at Israel’s complicit cultural institutions,” the letter read in part.