A convicted felon made an amateur movie “trailer” in July 2012, entitled “Innocence of Muslims.” The movie was widely denounced as hateful, vulgar and offensive. It was condemned by President Obama, as well as many other world leaders, and throughout the Middle East, Brazil, Russia and other countries the video was blocked. It led to violence – and this hateful production was rightfully widely condemned and criticized.
Against this backdrop, one wonders how on September 22nd at The Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln Center in the heart of New York City, an offensive Anti-Semitic play will be shown, which celebrates the murder of Leon Klinghoffer, 69, a handicapped World War II veteran who was shot in the head in his wheelchair by members of the Palestine Liberation Front.
“The Death of Klinghoffer” was cancelled after 9/11, the Met cancelled original plans to broadcast the production worldwide – yet, the opera claims in the interest of “art” the show must go on. Klinghoffer was murdered by terrorists – he did not die as the title implies. As his surviving children noted “We are outraged at the exploitation of our parents and the cold-blooded murder of our father as the centerpiece of a production that appears to us to be anti-Semitic.”
In this work of “art,” a hijacker in the play sings: “We are / soldiers fighting a war / We are not criminals / and we are not vandals / but men of ideals.” These lyrics fit with a recent letter from Peter Gelb, the Metropolitan Opera’s general manager who said, “John Adams has said that in composing ‘The Death of Klinghoffer’ he tried to understand the hijackers and their motivations, and to look for humanity in the terrorists . . .” What humanity can be found in the murderers of innocents?
Why are hateful art productions which are Anti-Muslim banned, but Anti-Semitism is broadcast at the highest levels of society?
On stage, hijacker Rambo says “Wherever poor men / are gathered they can / find Jews getting fat / You know how to cheat / the simple, exploit / the virgin, pollute / Where you have exploited / Defame those you cheated / and break your own law / with idolatry.” Plain and simple anti-Semitic language.
The Metropolitan Opera is celebrating terror and broadcasting Anti-Semitism. It is a despicable encouragement of hatred. Apparently, Lincoln Center & The Innocence of Muslims are one and the same.
