Gaga's Israeli comments resurfaces

[MOT 2,706]

Two separate things going on here, I think.

First, there is what Gaga said and did in 2014. I am absolutely open to correction on this, so if I'm wrong please feel free to tell me. My memory of that time is that cultural and sporting events in Israel were being cancelled or moved for security (as opposed to political) reasons. Gaga's comments would fit in that context, i.e. she was saying that the place was safe to visit. Regardless though, it was ten years ago, and she may have faced some backlash then (I don't know ?), but I don't think it's legitimate for it to be brought up now as if it's relevant to current events.

The second thing is Gaga's silence on those current events. She has every right to be silent, and people on here have every right to criticize her (or not) for that silence. I would point out also that Gaga actively supported Joe Biden in his 2020 election campaign, that she sang the National Anthem at his inauguration, that he appointed her as co-chair of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, and that he has an election coming up in November. Politically, I'm sure Biden's re-election is a priority for her, so I'm not surprised that she's quiet on Israel/Palestine.

[River 105,784]

9 hours ago, PartySick said:

Here in the States, we're taught from a young age about brave explorers from Britain and Spain that discovered the "New World" and manifested our destiny all over the North American continent to establish the most free and amazing country on Earth. And we ALL know that's a load of bullsh*t but ask any apolitical or right wing American and you'll see that's the vision of America they believe in.

I don't think it's right wing exclusive, like before I was a mod, I remember a few time when non-American users criticized the shitty US history (which is basically similar to Israel lol) some mods, I don't remember who, were like "don't say these things about america, it's history"

I find Americans to be very protective about their past, even sugarcoating it

[Kayi 1,138]

16 hours ago, DitaDolla said:

this is a stupid trend that will pass in like 3 days, don’t worry about it

Real 

[LilyLark 9,913]

16 hours ago, Obobo said:

Great…let’s push traffic on a fairly irrelevant video. I swear Gaga’s biggest enemy isn’t her but us…

This. Also, they've literally put everyone on the block list. Even Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, and Beyonce.

Drawing attention on tiktok or twitter just makes it worse.

Also, she made the comment back in 2013...and I'm pretty sure all she said was something like 'you aren't that bad, this is a nice crowd with nice people' when performing in Tel Aviv. People are acting like she said "**** Palestinians".

Like, I support Palestine and am not a Zionist, but short of people making Amy Schumer like comments...I find this attempt to 'cancel' people kind of crazy.

They are going after Neil Gaiman, who has called for a Ceasefire and posted links to help Gaza, because he said something like 'I hope there is a two state solution, where everyone can live in peace.' Even Hamas said they would agree to a two state solution! But twitter acts like anyone who says it must be cheerleading the IDF.

[LilyLark 9,913]

2 hours ago, MOT said:

Two separate things going on here, I think.

First, there is what Gaga said and did in 2014. I am absolutely open to correction on this, so if I'm wrong please feel free to tell me. My memory of that time is that cultural and sporting events in Israel were being cancelled or moved for security (as opposed to political) reasons. Gaga's comments would fit in that context, i.e. she was saying that the place was safe to visit. Regardless though, it was ten years ago, and she may have faced some backlash then (I don't know ?), but I don't think it's legitimate for it to be brought up now as if it's relevant to current events.

The second thing is Gaga's silence on those current events. She has every right to be silent, and people on here have every right to criticize her (or not) for that silence. I would point out also that Gaga actively supported Joe Biden in his 2020 election campaign, that she sang the National Anthem at his inauguration, that he appointed her as co-chair of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, and that he has an election coming up in November. Politically, I'm sure Biden's re-election is a priority for her, so I'm not surprised that she's quiet on Israel/Palestine.

I think it's fine to criticize Gaga, Bey, and Taylor for staying silent, but I also think it's fine they are staying silent. I'd be disappointed if Gaga defended or signed on a letter for Israel, but thank god she has not done so.

I care more about politicians, and people acting like celebs can do something in regards to foreign policy (not domestic policy like Bey having Get out the Vote registration) is kind of nuts.

People really over hype celebs and Palestine, and it almost comes across as performative. Like they are more eager to go "oh, look Bella is more openly supportive than Gigi".

And yeah, I feel like the 18 year olds don't realize than Israel/Palestine was treated VERY differently ten years ago in the US. I'm not afraid to criticize Gaga, but these are mild comments made a decade ago back when what she said was the norm liberal US opinion.

[LilyLark 9,913]

3 hours ago, Didymus said:

This is not true. Gaga's comments came only weeks after 2000 Palestinians (most of them civilians) were killed by Israeli airstrikes. Israel was under international media fire, especially outside of the US, for showing incredible lack of constraint and for its use of propaganda to play the victim.

Gaga's comments can not be isolated from that political context, as she explicitly referred to it: she acknowledged that her team had been concerned about performing in Tel Aviv for security reasons because of this particular situation. So, no, she was not talking about "the people being kind". She quite consciously took a stance against the popular opinion that artists should refuse to perform in Israel for political reasons. Was she just being naive and impressionable? Of course. Doesn't make it any less reprehensible in hindsight. She should distance herself from those disgusting remarks.

Also who are you to say they're not doing anything productive? You don't know what else these people are doing. They are probably also committing to BDS boycotting and might even be protesting on the street, raising awareness via their own platforms,... I'll take any "social justice warrior" protesting an unfolding genocide over people complaining about others using their voices for good.

How old are you? I am very pro Palestine, but lbr Gaga's 2014 stance was very much the normie liberal stance back then. People have changed a TON on Palestine over the past decade.

And honestly, I find it insane that people think Taylor or Beyonce or Gaga could make a difference. It feels weird and performative, like the people boycotting Starbucks, when Starbucks has no economic ties to Israel...but Chevron does (and yet Chevron doesn't rack up any attention). Call up local politicians, boycott universities who have investments, boycott Chevron and Puma. ****ing Taylor Swift can't make a difference, no one  is going to say 'oh, Taylor said Israel is doing war crimes, that will stop the war.' I can at least understand people who think celebrities should comment on US domestic issues, if they are American, but foreign policy?

I think it's fine to criticize celebs for not speaking out more, but I also think it's fine to think it's a bit silly to hoist them on some pedestal or act like they are the devil for staying silent.

People went rabid on Dua Lipa, who is very left wing, for daring to express some concern for the hostages EVEN though she is very much pro-Palestine and was clearly very worried about Gaza and Israeli war crimes.

IDK, I'm not afraid to criticize Gaga at all, but I think celebrities have zero influence on Gaza outside of things like Eurovision (where an Israeli participant was there) and I just don't

[skedaddleBItCh 2,768]

I find the blocklist kind of questionable (⁠･ั⁠ω⁠･ั⁠) cuz if we do indeed block these celebrities, what happens then? Will it actually pressure said celebrities? Won't it even lessen their exposure to world geopolitics and limit their access to relevant information about the genocide if they do indeed decided to take part in the fight against genocide? 

I'm all for Palestine but this particular movement is kind of ehh??? It doesn't help that this also coincides with the stan twitter space and pop culture enthusiast realms which consists of people that are either mature enough to understand this or just weaponize this movement in spreading misinformation and stroking their own ego (which actually is happening rn).

I agree that organizing donation drives, donating for the people affected by the war, and pressuring political figures who can actually do something would be more helpful in this case. We need more well-planned, efficient but effective movements to be organized.

However, that doesn't mean Gaga and other celebrities shouldn't be held accountable. In my opinion, what Gaga said is out of pure ignorance and that she should actually say something about this. Her image, her art, they all are part of her activism and her fight for equality, human rights, and liberation. The ongoing genocide is a delicate topic for some people, but I still feel like she should still say something. In no way should this be performative. However (2), I also do understand a bit with her political ties with the current administration may make it harder for her to speak up. Like I said just now, it's a delicate topic for some, so that could be a factor too. If she has the chance, hopefully, she can speak up for the people.

[PartySick 145,878]

2 hours ago, River said:

I don't think it's right wing exclusive, like before I was a mod, I remember a few time when non-American users criticized the shitty US history (which is basically similar to Israel lol) some mods, I don't remember who, were like "don't say these things about america, it's history"

I find Americans to be very protective about their past, even sugarcoating it

Imagine wanting to lie about history though

Just about every nation is bathed in blood, it is what it is. Best we can do is learn from it and prevent current/future atrocities.

[faysalaaa 3,080]

Anyone getting upset about a celebrity saying Israel is a beautiful country doesnt really care about Palestinians lives. And there is nothing wrong with saying Israel and its people is a beautiful country and im anti Israel, it is a beautiful country.

Edited May 12 by faysalaaa1

[faysalaaa 3,080]

1 hour ago, skedaddleBItCh said:

that doesn't mean Gaga and other celebrities shouldn't be held accountable. In my opinion, what Gaga said is out of pure ignorance

Held accountable for doing what? and how is her comments ignorant?

[faysalaaa 3,080]

12 hours ago, Dennis said:

Cuz she knows better

This is what happened to Dua Lipa when she tried to give a nuanced opinion about the topic.

If Gaga says she feels bad for both "Palestinian and Israeli lives lost", she'll be accused of both-siding the issue.

If she says she supports Palestinians without mentioning Israelis, she'll be branded antisemitic.

If she says she supports Israelis, she'll be branded "pro-genocide".

Can't win. Just say you support peace and love, and leave it at that.
 

 

Even if she says she supports peace and love, they will call her out of touch, just like what they said about Kim Kardashian recently.

[PartySick 145,878]

[Gaga2645 2,077]

At this point people are using the genocide & innocent lives lost as a means of social media engagement. And honestly I find that so gross. As many people said, blocking celebrities is not going to do anything. Do y’all really think that most of these pop stars even run their own accounts? I mean come on nowww… 

A pop star putting out a statement isn’t going to do anything. What awareness is it going to spread? Awareness about the Genocide going on is at an all time high. I truly feel that thinking blocking a celebrity is going to bully them into submission is soooo telling that you don’t know what Grass looks or feels like idk. 

[skedaddleBItCh 2,768]

14 minutes ago, faysalaaa1 said:

Held accountable for doing what? and how is her comments ignorant?

i meant that in a general way, like if theyve said something in the future, but also its unintentionally tonedeaf, come on now. she possibly not knowing about the ongoing warfare back then is ignorance? isnt that obvious lmao but either way no need to be defensive my god. like what i said its better to go for people who can actually change something

[Ziggy 10,755]

18 hours ago, PartySick said:

Anyone who thinks Gaga even has a specific opinion on this conflict other than "gee I sure wish people would stop killing each other" is expecting too much of her imo

Like lbr…she has never really gotten too deep into the minutiae of politics. As a pop artist, she keeps it high level. That’s ok! Everyone’s got a role and she has clearly left her mark on politics bc of it, but…you right