Eddie Vedder shrugs off controversy over recent anti-war comments

[Violet_Crumble]

Last edited Tue Jul 22, 2014, 01:40 AM - Edit history (1)

Pearl Jam singer responds to criticism after an onstage speech was branded a 'harsh anti-Israel diatribe'

Eddie Vedder has brushed aside the controversy over his recent comments said to be regarding the conflict in Israel and Gaza. "Imagine that – I'm still anti-war," the Pearl Jam singer wrote in a statement. "[War] hurts no matter which sides the bombs are falling on."


Vedder was apparently surprised by the furor over his remarks at an 11 July concert in Milton Keynes. "I swear to fucking God, there are people out there who are looking for a reason to kill," he said that night, mid-way through a performance of the song Daughter. "They’re looking for a reason to go across borders and take over land that doesn’t belong to them. They should get the fuck out and mind their own fucking business … We don't want to give them our taxes to drop bombs on children."


Although Vedder and Pearl Jam never overtly referenced Israel, Gaza, or even the Middle East, the Jerusalem Post branded his monologue a "harsh anti-Israel diatribe". Pro-Israeli fans flooded the Pearl Jam's Facebook page, criticising the speech, while Israeli rock DJ Ben Red published an open letter telling Vedder to stay away from Israel now that his "true face has finally been revealed".


On Wednesday afternoon, Vedder posted his own letter on the official Pearl Jam website. Once again he avoided any direct reference to the violence that has broken out between Hamas and the Israel Defence Force. "With about a dozen assorted ongoing conflicts in the news every day, and with the stories becoming more horrific, the level of sadness becomes unbearable," he wrote. "Some of us, after another morning dose of news coverage full of death and destruction, feel the need to reach out to others to see if we are not alone in our outrage."

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/17/eddie-vedder-controversy-gaza-israel-comments-milton-keynes

[msongs]

1. so the Israelite lobby was feeling guilty even though Vedder did not mention it lol nt

[The Roux Comes First]

2. Outrage Indeed!

Who wouldn't be with EV on this? Even if he had named Nutty-yahoo's latest genocidal escalation. It's way past time the warmongers were called to answer for their crimes. That goes for our homegrown 'mongers too, past and present. And we have sadly many who fit in both categories.

[montanacowboy]

3. Good for Vedder

he says what needs to be said

[Violet_Crumble]

4. Yep. On his FB page he's being lectured by some outraged 'fans' not to mix politics and music

https://www.facebook.com/EddieVedder

Something tells me most of that outrage is coming from people who aren't PJ fans and aren't aware they've always been politically aware and active...

[villager]

5. "Fuck every cause that ends in murder and children crying'

Iain Banks said it, Eddie Vedder would appear to believe it (and good for him), and I've sure been posting that sentiment a lot here lately on DU

[DesertDiamond]

6. He's supposed to APOLOGIZE for that???? I HEART you, Eddie!!!

[Violet_Crumble]

7. Krist Novoselic defends EddieVedder, blames "knuckleheads"for conflict in Middle-East

Nirvana bassist (and part-time political activist) Krist Novoselic has thrown his support behind Eddie Vedder and his anti-war stance. Vedder copped some flack from the Israeli press for comments he made at a gig in the UK last week regarding the Middle-East (“They’re looking for a reason to go across borders and take over land that doesn’t belong to them,” he said, despite not actually mentioning Israel or Palestine by name).

Following the outcry from Israeli fans, Vedder made a much more general anti-war statement on his blog, which quoted John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ and called for people to come together to end conflict around the world. And now Novoselic has weighed in, backing up Vedder’s stance and pointing the blame at the “knuckleheads on both sides”, rather than “the singer from a rock band”, in a measured 550-word blog post.

Here’s his statement in full:

Thank you Eddie Vedder for speaking up for peace in our world. Eddie has gotten some criticism over comments he made about the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis. That situation has been messed up for so long, it is no wonder that even mentioning it is toxic. Let’s face it, the relationship between the Palestinians and the Israelis is a disaster! I don’t know how many times I have heard the same explanations and excuses and it matters not, there is a continuing catastrophe between those two peoples.

Our world is connected as never before. People from all corners of the planet share culture and commerce at the click of a mouse. In contrast to this great convergence of humanity, Israel is building tall concrete walls while Palestinians fire rockets over them. There’s a shared recent history between these people, and I think there could be a shared future that’s more in tune with what’s going on with our ever-connected universe.

Hamas’ policy of not recognizing Israel is a dead end. All our lives are a result of the course of history. In other words, one thing leads to another, and our circumstances bring us to where we are. Israel has been a state for over 50 years, and has grown to seven million citizens. Furthermore, Israel is an inclusive democracy with universal human rights. In fact, Arab Israelis, like all its citizens, can vote for parties who hold seats in the Knesset, the national legislature.

However, if there is to be recognition of the course of history, we cannot forget the demographic changes the idea of Israel has created over 50 years. The influx of people into Israel – mostly Europeans – has displaced some four million Palestinians. You can give any anecdote you want about how small Israel is in comparison to the rest of the Middle East but the sentiment is still there – Palestinians feel that their land was taken away.

The region is host to the convergence of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. It’s where these religions started, and the region’s extensive history draws from all three of these Abrahamic faiths. Radicals hold eschatological beliefs that, if manifested, could set off a major religious conflict in the region and world. You have to credit Israel for keeping a lid on this dynamic while at the same time granting religious freedom.

As we’ve seen with other conflicts, things do and can change. The “troubles” in Northern Ireland were a result of events a century ago, and after a proactive effort, peace has taken hold. Yugoslavia was another 19th-century idea that when put into practice caused much controversy and conflict. Today we find the south Slavs working to come together in the European Union. In both these cases, a resolution of the conflict was buttressed by the promise of the stability needed for prosperity to happen.

The people of Palestine and Israel deserve peace and prosperity. It is time to stop repeating the same old arguments, dogma and hate speech. It is the knuckleheads on both sides that should be criticized and not the singer from a rock band. In addition, both sides need to make hard decisions about finding a settlement to the catastrophe that is Israel/Palestine.

Thanks Eddie for sharing your feelings. I stand with you my friend!!!

Read more at http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/40059/Krist-Novoselic-defends-Eddie-Vedder-blames-knuckleheads-for-conflict-in-Middle-East#7vFdmdPgjcxmGyYG.99

[StevePaulson]

8. Stand Your Ground Eddie

[calimary]

9. Welcome to DU, StevePaulson!

Glad you're here! DAYUM this issue stirs people up. Unbelievable. Sometimes I just don't know what to say, or what to think, about this one. This is one of those times when I'm mighty glad I'M not President.

[lovemydog]

12. He will. Welcome here StevePaulson.

Have fun.

[LuvNewcastle]

10. Eddie Vedder gets pummeled for supporting peace.

What a fucked-up world!

[lovemydog]

11. We often talk as if there's a large market for war.

Well, I believe there's an even larger market for peace. It's people, not governments. Artists and musicians and everyday people who don't want bombs killing their children. We should not listen to the governmental and self appointed 'leaders' who are bloodthirsty. We should listen to and support anyone and everyone who is striving for peace and justice. There's a symphony that comprises Palestinians and Israelis. Those are the people to whom we should all be listening. I refuse to watch television that fails to interview them, and the millions like them.