Scottish rock band Primal Scream sparked outrage by displaying antisemitic imagery combining a swastika with the Star of David during a London concert.
Story Highlights
- Primal Scream displayed swastika merged with Star of David on political leaders’ eyes during December 8 London concert
- Jewish organizations reported incident to Metropolitan Police as “grossly antisemitic” hate crime
- Roundhouse venue apologized and condemned imagery, claiming no prior knowledge of content
- Band defended display as “art” meant to “provoke debate, not hate” with no apology offered
Antisemitic Imagery Displayed During Concert Performance
During Primal Scream’s December 8 performance at London’s Roundhouse venue, the band projected disturbing imagery combining Nazi and Jewish symbols during their song “Swastika Eyes.” The backing film showed political leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump with Star of David and swastika symbols merged in their eyes. The display included footage of Gaza destruction, clearly targeting Jewish identity and Holocaust memory in what Jewish organizations immediately recognized as textbook antisemitism.
The Community Security Trust, Britain’s primary Jewish security organization, condemned the imagery as “grossly antisemitic” and stressed it “implies that Jews are Nazis and risks encouraging hatred of Jews.” This represents a direct attack on Jewish identity, merging the most sacred Jewish symbol with the emblem of those who murdered six million Jews during the Holocaust.
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Police Investigation Launched Following Hate Crime Reports
The Metropolitan Police confirmed receiving reports on December 10 and launched an assessment into potential criminal violations. At least one person has attended voluntary police interviews as investigations continue, though no arrests have been made. Jewish advocacy groups including the Campaign Against Antisemitism indicated their legal teams are examining footage to consider further legal action beyond the police investigation.
The imagery clearly violates International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definitions of antisemitism, which specifically identify comparing Jews or Israel to Nazis as hate speech. Under UK hate crime and Public Order Act provisions, displaying such content could constitute criminal incitement of racial or religious hatred, representing serious legal jeopardy for those involved in creating and approving the display.
Primal Scream defend image of swastika inside Star of David shown during London gig – https://t.co/IYcQiNthYp
— Susan Jordan #FreePalestine 🇵🇸 (@Moonbootica) December 12, 2025
Band Refuses Apology While Venue Distances Itself
Primal Scream released an Instagram statement defending their antisemitic display as “a piece of art” intended to “provoke debate, not hate.” The Scottish band, led by radical leftist Bobby Gillespie, framed their hatred as an exercise in “freedom of expression” while offering no apology to the Jewish community. Their defiant stance demonstrates contempt for both Jewish suffering and basic human decency.
The Roundhouse venue immediately distanced itself, stating it was “appalled that antisemitic imagery was displayed” and apologized to attendees and the Jewish community. Venue management emphasized the content appeared “entirely without our knowledge” and violated their values, highlighting how the band deliberately concealed their antisemitic agenda. This incident exposes dangerous gaps in content vetting that allow hate groups to exploit cultural venues for spreading their poison.
Sources:
Primal Scream says video with alleged antisemitic imagery shown at gig was meant to ‘provoke debate’
Primal Scream Concert Sparks Antisemitism Outcry in London
Bobby Gillespie London Roundhouse Primal Scream
Primal Scream Break Silence on Showing Antisemitic Imagery
