I know, we are all waiting for the day splits to be announced, but before that, I have to get something else off my chest:
While I hope you guys had a wonderful weekend, my Sunday started a little weird – I found myself being labeled as “confirmed Zionist who supports genocide” on the internet.
Here is what happened so far:
TRIPSUN (that’s a band) and some individuals posted several accusations online on their own social media channels and also commented on postings of artists playing Booze Cruise 2024.
Here you will find some screenshots in case you were occupied with other matters yesterday and didn’t have the chance to follow punks on instagram:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/7ijeo5ysd3iusmnxffkln/AGRNJH6ZKLqQeZ1XgLUusSY?rlkey=4ayt8r4umvcsnx2vyobg5gcqs&dl=0
As you can see, I follow:
- Jufodig, an NGO supporting the exchange between Israel and Germany, fighting against growing anti-Semitism.
I also follow - Unrwa_monitor, a monitor for the link between the UN aid fund for Palestine and Hamas.
I’m not sure if this makes me (as a TRIPSUN member referred to me on X) a “confirmed Zionist who supports genocide” yet.
Jeremy Tadros from COSMIT and AUSTEROS has reached out to a couple of bands, possibly threatening them if they continue to participate in Booze Cruise 2024.
I apologize for any inconvenience caused by this.
I was also informed that an individual from TRIPSUN would conduct further investigation into my background. I am very flattered that a stranger would invest so much time and effort in thoroughly examining all the photos of dogs, tattoos, and vegan recipes I’ve liked over the years. Here’s what I could find myself liking across my way too many Instagram accounts (my own, my dogs’, Booze Cruise, Cruise Records, Not Sorry, Coldcoldnorth, Downpour fanzine) that are in some way linked to the Middle East:
Dropbox -> Posts, I liked
Again I’m not sure if those make me (as a TRIPSUN member referred to me on X) a “confirmed Zionist who supports genocide” yet.
I have been questioned in multiple messages about my stance on the – let me quote Jeremy from COSMIT / AUSTEROS here – “situation in Gaza”. While I cannot fathom how my personal opinion can have a significant impact in this enduring conflict that has spanned decades, and has confounded generations of politicians in search of a diplomatic solution, but if individuals on the internet think differently, who am I not to give it a try:
I have no idea what your grandparents did between 1933 and 1945; mine were involved in some horrific war crimes that led to over 6,000,000 dead Jews, millions of deceased foreign soldiers, millions of deceased civilians, destroyed families, shattered circles of friends, and decimated art scenes – all due to Germany’s megalomania. So, I carry that German guilt within me and I am deeply ashamed of our past. I am grateful that today Jews can live in peace, and I understand that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas and other adversaries.
Like many Jews and citizens of Israel, I do not support the current Israeli government, nor do I have any knowledge about Israel’s settlement plans.
The pacifist optimist in me would love to see two peaceful states, Hamas incarcerated, Netanjahu out of office, and Palestinians free to travel, work, and love whomever they choose.
So, if you hold a different viewpoint on the existence of Israel, Booze Cruise might not be the festival you want to attend this summer.
If you believe that shouting “from the river…” is an acceptable statement, it’s not, in fact it is a crime according to German law.
If you post terms like “i$rael”, “z!onist”, “gen0cide”, then fuck all the way off already.
If you wish to discuss this further, feel free to reach out.
It seems that open dialogue could be beneficial in these challenging times.
Cheers,
Stefan
