Identity politics - Gilad Atzmon vs Ray Keenoy @ The Albion Beatnik Bookstore

 

By Tom Fry

On the 4th June 2013, a group gathered at The Albion Beatnik Bookstore, Oxford, to see Gilad Atzmon present a screening of his new film; "Gilad And All That Jazz". It was an opportunity to hear him philosophise upon themes from his recent internationally acclaimed book; "The Wandering Who?" and maybe gain an insight to the man behind the documentary.

I often wonder, so wandered in, full of it. Wonderful. Happy days..

Beatnik books; being a cool and hip kinda place, was warm, cosy and inviting. Hand-painted bench-tables and instruments of the arts scattered the bifurcated feng shui. A faint sniff of sandal-wax hung like cinnamon in the heavy summer air as dusky acquaintances were made and inadequacies pardoned, this was Oxford, I'm no academic, just a regular schmo with a camera and a smile, and a low slung hat with a plastic feather. I slid into a spot at the front near the niche, possibly a nook, and parked my arse in a steam pressed high back to recover my breath. I'm a low altitude kinda guy.

Dennis Harrison was a marvellous host for the evening. He provided tea that was, as Ray so delightfully put it, "unique in having both laxative and aphrodisiac properties." Which meant unthinkingly that I, sat behind the camera, needed the loo like crazy for over an hour while loving every minute but I digress, and yes, the Albion Beatnik introduced the evenings events charmingly.

Gilad, once introduced, seemed willing to rush straight to the screening so that we could all get out of there to go to the jazz that was to be playing just up the road later on, so he undertook to precis the book and propose a discourse in one paragraph.

Next on the rostrum, there was to be a short prebuttal** by Ray Keenoy, then a Q&A before Gilad was to expound, but..

With a sheaf of notes flapping it was only halfway through Ray's monumental thirty-three-and-a-half-minute monologue that things started getting interesting. Twas a cross legged tea torture that one might describe as; part educational, part critique, part epic, part genetic analysis and mostly discussing a different set of interests entirely.

Sixteen minutes in, Gilad had had enough of his name being misattributed to points of unfact, a whole sweep of projected supposition, parallel arguments and antagonistic analogy, so he piped up and said so.

The results are amusing. Oh, and thought provoking, naturally.

To see the entire debate follow the link.

http://youtu.be/mdiAr7Rw3gk

Syria - Israel Is Losing the Battle

By Gilad Atzmon

In the last week we have been following British and French’s desperate attempts to push for a military intervention in Syria. It is far from being a secret that both British and French government are dominated by the Jewish Lobby. In Britain it is the ultra Zionist CFI (Conservative Friends of Israel) - apparently 80% of  Britain’s conservative MPs are members of the pro Israeli Lobby. In France the situation is even more devastating, the entire political system is hijacked by the forceful CRIF.

But in case anyone fails to grasp why the Jewish Lobby is pushing for an immediate intervention, Debka, an Israeli news outlet provides the answer. Seemingly, the Syrian army is winning on all fronts. Israel’s military and geo-political calculations are proved to be wrong. 

According to Debka, “the battle for Damascus is over”. The Syrian army had virtually “regained control of the city in an epic victory”.  The rebels, largely mercenaries,  have lost the battle they “can’t do much more than fire sporadically. They can no longer launch raids, or pose threats to the city centre, the airport or the big Syrian air base nearby.
The Russian and Iranian transports constantly bringing replenishments for keeping the Syrian army fighting can again land at Damascus airport after months of rebel siege.”

But it isn’t just the capital. Debka reports that “Hezbollah and Syrian units have tightened their siege on the rebels holding out in the northern sector of al Qusayr; other (Syrian army) units have completed their takeover of the countryside around the town of Hama; and a third combined Syrian-Hizballah force has taken up positions around Aleppo.”

Debka maintains that senior IDF officers criticized the Israeli defense minister (Moshe Ya'alon) who “mislead” the Knesset a few days ago estimating that “Bashar Assad controlled only 40% of Syrian territory.”  Debka suggests that Israeli defense Minister drawn on a “flawed intelligence assessment and were concerned that the armed forces were acting on the basis of inaccurate intelligence.” Debka stresses, “erroneous assessments… must lead to faulty decision-making.”

Read More

Film Trailer - The Village Under The Forest documentary

The Village Under The Forest explores the hidden remains of the destroyed Palestinian village of Lubya, which lies under a purposefully cultivated forest plantation called South Africa Forest.

The documentary explores themes related to the erasure and persistence of memory and dares to imagine a future in which dignity, acknowledgement and co-habitation become shared possibilities in Israel/Palestine.

The Village Under The Forest is co-directed by Emmy-winner Mark Kaplan and scholar and poet Heidi Grunebaum. If the music sounds familiar to you, it is because you may recognise me in it.

http://youtu.be/ISmj31rJkGQ

Ben-Ari: Israel Caused "Slaughter" in Africa for Money

Right-wing Israeli politician Michael Ben-Ari accuses the Israeli government of causing the "slaughter" of African people, and of doing so because the state financially benefitted from it. He then accuses other world super-powers of the same crimes, of selling weapons that are used to destroy the lives of millions of innocent African people. Ben-Ari is one of the Israeli politicians that has led a campaign to vilify and expel the tens of thousands of African asylum-seekers who have migrated to the country in recent years, fleeing the armed conflict in their home countries that he here admits Israel is at least partially responsible for.

London Declaration on Anti-Semitism - a Glimpse Into Jewish Phobia

Introduction by Gilad Atzmon: Below you will find the London Declaration on Antisemitism followed by a great analytical deconstruction by Stuart Littlewood.

The declaration doesn't leave much room for doubt, Israel and its Lobby are in a state of panic.  The London Statement is a clear attempt to stop discussion on issues to do with Jewish past, the Holocaust, the Jewish State and its Jewish nature.

Interestingly enough, the declaration provides us with an insight into Zionist projection. Far from being a universal statement, the declaration is primarily concerned with anti-Jewish discrimination. The declaration is a brutal and crude attempt to interfere with freedom of expression that is still regarded by some as a precious human value.

The declaration is full with logical flaws. Here is one example. Though Israel defines itself as the Jewish State, the declaration calls to stop those who “target the State of Israel as a Jewish collectivity” (1). I guess that the meaning of it is simple. Israel  is happy to define itself as a Jewish State but it doesn't like to be defined as such by others.

The declaration calls  “national governments, parliaments, international institutions… to affirm democratic and human values, build societies based on respect and citizenship and combat any manifestations of antisemitism and discrimination.”  I would expect the Israeli Government to follow this call and to make sure that Israel, once and for all, becomes a ‘state of its citizens’ and succumb to principles of ‘human values’ and true democracy, because at the moment Israel is still a ‘Jewish State’ and its legal system discriminates non-Jews. 

The declaration is an attempt to seal Jewish past “Governments must challenge any foreign leader, politician or public figure who denies, denigrates or trivialises the Holocaust” (3). It is obviously clear that some Jews don’t like it when gentiles look into their past.  But the question is why? Is there something secretive in Jewish past? The declaration also fails to define exactly what denial, denigration or trivialization may entail.  

I guess that the desperate appeal to law and international community is taking place now because Israel and its supporters grasp that the tide has changed. -resentment towards Israel and its lobbies cannot be contained anymore.

I guess that Israel and its Lobby better learn to self-reflect rather than attempting to silence criticism.  

 

http://www.antisem.org/london-declaration/

The London Declaration on Combating Antisemitism, signed by some of the worlds leading parliamentarians, represents a new era in global cooperation in the fight against antisemitism.

Parliamentarians wishing to sign the declaration should click here

The London Declaration on Combating Antisemitism

Preamble

We, Representatives of our respective Parliaments from across the world, convening in London for the founding Conference and Summit of the Inter-parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism, draw the democratic world’s attention to the resurgence of antisemitism as a potent force in politics, international affairs and society.

We note the dramatic increase in recorded antisemitic hate crimes and attacks targeting Jewish persons and property, and Jewish religious, educational and communal institutions.

We are alarmed at the resurrection of the old language of prejudice and its modern manifestations in rhetoric and political action -against Jews, Jewish belief and practice and the State of Israel.

We are alarmed by Government-backed antisemitism in general, and state-backed genocidal antisemitism, in particular.

We, as Parliamentarians, affirm our commitment to a comprehensive programme of action to meet this challenge.

We call upon national governments, parliaments, international institutions, political and civic leaders, NGOs, and civil society to affirm democratic and human values, build societies based on respect and citizenship and combat any manifestations of antisemitism and discrimination.

We today in London resolve that;

Challenging Antisemitism

1. Parliamentarians shall expose, challenge, and isolate political actors who engage in hate against Jews and target the State of Israel as a Jewish collectivity;

2. Parliamentarians should speak out against antisemitism and discrimination directed against any minority, and guard against equivocation, hesitation and justification in the face of expressions of hatred;

3. Governments must challenge any foreign leader, politician or public figure who denies, denigrates or trivialises the Holocaust and must encourage civil society to be vigilant to this phenomenon and to openly condemn it;

Read More

Sarah Gillespie's Glory Days is out

Hello everybody

Sarah Gillespie's new album Glory Days is out. I produced the album two months ago. Sarah is certainly my favorite singer song writer. The album has already received some great reviews. I believe that in Glory Days Sarah shines like never before.  Check her out. 

Sarah will guest with me at the 606 Jazz club this Saturday.  

EPK Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DueiVNLx7T4

First Review

SARAH GILLESPIE – GLORY DAYS  *4 STARS*
GYPSEY JAZZ, FOLK, BLUES AND BITING LYRICS FROM BRITISH – AMERICAN SINGER-SONGWRITER.
“It’s hard loving a man who thinks monogamy  is a type of wood,” complains Sarah Gillespie on Babies And All That Shit, a typically spiky lament about love turned to rubble. Previously she has put the boot into bankers and generals, but this time it’s mostly old bed partners in the firing line. “Your love was like digesting dynamite”, she sings over the woozy, bluesy beat of Signal Failure on an album that’s the best mix yet of hooky tunes and smart lyrics. Her upbringing is reflected in influences from both sides of the Atlantic in a sound thats part P J Harvey, part Lucida Williams. A nimble guitar picker, she has Gilad Atzmon once again leading the band, his clarinet, sax and accordion all adding colour. Happy, sad, or just gazing at the stars (P0stcards to Outer Space), Gillespie’s tunes can cut deep.
John Bungey

Rock & Real Magaine * 5 STARS*

To buy album on Amazon

Album Launch London Shows
 
Sarah Gillespie - guitar and vocals
Gilad Atzmon - sax, clarinet and accordian
Enzo Zirilli - drums
Kit Downes - piano
Ben Bastin - bass

Pizza Express Jazz Club
10th July http://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/jazzList.aspx?showId=c355fae7-058f-409f-b9e0-35ddb5271581&showDateId=6467

11th July
http://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/jazzList.aspx?showId=c355fae7-058f-409f-b9e0-35ddb5271581&showDateId=6468

Radio tune in and hear Sarah play live on BBC Radio 4's Loose Ends Sat June 15th

Website www.sarahgillespie.com

Henry Herskovitz: Atzmon Tours Toledo and Ypsilanti

We have learned a secret about jazz musician and philosopher Gilad Atzmon in the last few days: the man only has two speeds, 100 mph (that's 161 kph for the Brits reading this) and zero. His energy wore out a crowd of 25 folks in Ypsilanti, Michigan Friday evening and about 50 listeners in Toledo, Ohio Thursday, yet at last sighting he was going strong.

Though leaving his audiences without a clear path of "what to do", he certainly provides a lot of thought-provoking ideas for the uninitiated to chew upon. So much so, that a Jewish doctor and friend stormed out of his Friday delivery midstream, shocked, shocked at the idea that an examination of Jewish collective behavior could possibly be helpful in understanding the actions of others. Gilad waxes nostalgic over the loveable bigot Archie Bunker, whom he describes as the last free self-expressing person and urged those in his audience to give up the shackles of political correctness and speak our minds. Patriotism, he instructed, is the ability to admire our surrounding rivers, valleys, mountains while using and preserving our First Amendment rights.

 

He expounded on the nature of Jewish Power for us -- it is the invisible hand that forbids us from speaking about Jewish Power. He claimed that AIPAC (American-Israel Public Affairs Committee) is *not* an example of Jewish Power, but the power resides in Jewish leaders of the peace movement who – like the anti-aircraft batteries protecting a military target – provide cover for targets like AIPAC. As such, Gilad identifies for us these leaders – Medea Benjamin of Code Pink and Rebecca Vilkomerson of Jewish Voice for Peace to name just two - who place Jewish tribalism and a faux focus on "anti-Semitism" at primary levels in the peace movement, while the effort to actually liberate Palestine remains secondary. This observation is now being questioned by Atzmon supporters like Paul Larudee in his recent piece, "The Palestine Liberation Movement is not about Anti-Semitism".

 

Gilad at JWPF Vigil

 Mr. Atzmon slowed down just long enough to join ten members of Jewish Witness for Peace and Friends at our May 25 vigil in front of the Zionist Beth Israel Congregation. Following that, after a quick breakfast with JWPF vigilers, he was hustled off to Detroit Metro airport to head east for his NYC and Washington DC appearances. Thank you, Gilad for recognizing the importance of our weekly vigils.

My 50th Birthday Tour Starts Today

I landed in London this morning after months on the road. My son is taller than me, and he is only 12! How depressing. And here is the schedule for my 50th birthday tour: it starts today!!!

May

30 - Gilad Atzmon & The OHE @ The Spin, Oxford

31 - Gilad Atzmon & The OHE @ Wakefield Jazz Club, Wakefield

June

3 - With Nick Hill Trio @ The Bedford Arms, Bedford

4 - Film and Debate: GILAD AND ALL THAT JAZZ followed by a debate  Gilad Atzmon vs. Ray Keenoy, ALBION BEATNIK BOOKSTORE, 34 Walton Street, Oxford OX2 6AA

8 - 50th Birthday party, celebrating with OHE and guests @ the 606 Jazz Club.  

9 - Gilad Atzmon lunch time gig @ The Green Dragon • 58-60 High Street, Croydon, London

12 - Gilad Atzmon & OHE @ No.1 Shakespeare Street Bar & Grill, Stratford Upon Avon

14 - Concert + Screening - Gilad Atzmon & the OHE @ the Vortex Jazz Club, London + Screening of Gilad and All That Jazz ahead of the concert

15 - Gilad Atzmon & the OHE @ the Vortex Jazz Club,  London

20 - Gilad Atzmon, Frank Harrison 4tet The Bloomsbury, 209 Staines Road, Twickenham TW2 5BB

22 - Gilad Atzmon & Frank Harrison, PIANO DI PRIMO AL PRIMO PIANO, Allschwil/BL  Switzerland.

27 - Gilad Atzmon & The OHE @ Norwich Art Centre

28 - Jazz Baroque Fusion, Gilad Atzmon with Jennifer Bennett (violin and viola de gamba) & Yair Avidor  (lute & theorbo) @ Harwich Festival

29 Gilad Atzmon & the OHE  St. Mary's church hall, Felpham, Bognor Regis

30 - Off to Italy to play with Mauro Grossi,  details soon 

July

4 - Gilad Atzmon & The OHE @ NC Jazz, The Castle,  North Hampton 

5 - Gilad Atzmon & The OHE @ Birmingham Jazz.