Stephen Fry’s ‘alternative Christmas message’ sparks controversy
Much-loved institution of British comedy Stephen Fry may have given himself a shot in the foot after he fronted a so-called ‘alternative’ Christmas message that was little more than a bare-faced attempt to make Israel’s genocide in Gaza look respectable.
The usual apologists and propagandists were quick to promote the much-loved etc etc’s little film – only to be debunked by the usual critics – but the broadcast itself is included in the ‘X’ post below so you can experience it yourself:
As Israel continues to commit genocide on the people of Palestine this Christmas, please spare a thought for the *real* victims in all of this: Stephen Fry, David Baddiel, Rachel Riley and Tracy-Ann Oberman. https://t.co/GtEoJ1B3AJ
— Frank Owen's Legendary Paintbrush🥀🇵🇸🇾🇪 (@OwenPaintbrush) December 26, 2023
In fact there are certain elements of much loved etc etc’s speech with which This Writer would certainly agree: for example, that all forms of race hatred are wrong, and that Jewish people in the UK shouldn’t be attacked over what Israelis who happen to share their ethnic origin have been doing.
But there are a few inaccuracies that crept into the speech and slanted it in an unacceptable direction. Here’s David Rosenberg, who is as Jewish as Stephen Fry:
A Christmas message focusing on rising racism against a range of communities, in a year when leading politicians have ratcheted up rhetoric against refugees and extended that to attacks on multiculturalism itself would have been a welcome alternative. 2/12
— David Rosenberg (@davidjrosenberg) December 26, 2023
There was nothing alternative about locating the horrific events of October 7 as the catalyst to everything that followed, as if life in Gaza under siege, or the West Bank on October 6 was hunky-dory. As if Israel’s Nation State Law of 2018, 4/12
— David Rosenberg (@davidjrosenberg) December 26, 2023
against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Territories including pogroms, and a series of provocations at the Al Aqsa mosque had not occurred. Fry was just echoing the deliberately myopic right wing perspectives that dominate the mainstream media 6/12
— David Rosenberg (@davidjrosenberg) December 26, 2023
It would have been an alternative to examine those voices, here in Britain, across generations, among Jews who condemn *all* racism and seek a future of peace, justice and coexistence in Israel, that are challenging those mainsteam narratives. 8/12
— David Rosenberg (@davidjrosenberg) December 26, 2023
Fry played safe on those issues, clinging so closely to Establishment narratives. And he did a massive disservice to the anti-racist movement by endorsing a hierarchy of anti-racism which sets victims of racism in competition with each other for empathy and solidarity. 10/12
— David Rosenberg (@davidjrosenberg) December 26, 2023
as well as many Jews active in challenging all these, and alarmed at rising antisemitic incidents.
Fry has been conspicuous by his absence from campaigning movements against racism in Britain, but that is hardly an excuse. 12/12— David Rosenberg (@davidjrosenberg) December 26, 2023
You can’t immediately see all of Jackie Walker’s ‘X’ post below, to which Sue Jones responds, so I’ll quote it here: “Anti Jewish racism should be combatted at all levels, but the recent fashion for Jewish comedians to use their extensive platforms to suggest antisemitism is not given due attention, while at the same time not mentioning the extraordinary level of state and media support for the fight against Jew hate, as compared to any other racism, is a fraud. But to then use this argument to undermine those fighting against a genocidal state is just unforgivable.”
Ms Jones responds:
Fry is not a humanist. Humanists reject all forms of racism and prejudice. They believe in respecting and protecting everyone's human rights, including the right to freedom of religion and belief. Fry is trivialising Islamophobia, & endorsing genocide of Palestinians. https://t.co/KmjNhzlX8L
— Revolution Breeze (@SueJonesSays) December 26, 2023
Strong words. Are they supported by the evidence of the much loved etc etc’s broadcast?
Well…
The most common perceived antisemitic incidents for British Jews surveyed related to criticism of Israel.
— Dr Alan Maddison 🟨🟥 💙 (@alanmaddison20) December 26, 2023
The following is anecdotal, but I wonder how many other British Jews have had the same experience:
To clarify I am naming the CST and CAA
— Team Phoenix 🔥 #followthephoenix (@LeftPhoenix) December 26, 2023
Others have been harsher in their criticisms of the broadcast and of Fry himself:
I didn't want to see this either pic.twitter.com/pAeXKC1Mmk
— DearPrudence 🗿🍾🐑 (@fromthenorth66) December 25, 2023
It seems posts like the above sparked an interest in investigating Fry’s own activities and attitudes.
It seems that, in 2008, he signed a letter refusing to celebrate Israel’s 60th anniversary, calling it “a state founded on terrorism, massacres and the dispossession of another people from their land” – all of which, by failing to denounce what Israel is doing in Gaza now, he currently appears to support:
Whatever happened to Stephen Fry?pic.twitter.com/VNnls2YKN9
This, signed by Stephen Fry. pic.twitter.com/F4UmEc9gHe
— Wolfie. 💙🧡💚 (@Tpopularfront) December 26, 2023
Why did he change his opinion? The following suggestion is extreme but I, for one, would like to know what reason Fry himself provides.
Someone has paid him to change his opinion.
— Angie #It’sHardNotToBeLeft #NoCeasefireNoVote (@ripplecabin) December 26, 2023
I pass the following on without comment; you may wish to research it for yourself:
Stephen Fry gave a televised christmas message which imaginatively smeared opponents of Israel's genocidal war in Gaza as being motivated by racism.
More should know about his involvement with the Israel lobby group CCFP/StandWithUs which has been funded by Netanyahu.
— Lowkey (@Lowkey0nline) December 25, 2023
And it seems the short film was produced by Zionists who are linked to the Israel Defence Force that is responsible for the genocide in Gaza:
Well knock me down with a hammer- the producers of Fry’s subtle propaganda were not just anyone, they happened to be committed Zionists with links to the IDF https://t.co/jAVoxte0Hb
— Jackie Walker – HRH, MP, MBE, ABC (@Jackiew80333500) December 26, 2023
The full post by MintPress News states: “The producers of Stephen Fry’s controversial Christmas message were members of a Zionist youth group that funnels members into the Israeli military. Fulwell73 was founded by Leo Pearlman, Benjamin Turner, Gabe Turner, and Ben Winston. All of whom were members of the Zionist youth group B’nei Akiva, which runs pre-military programmes to enrol members in the Israeli occupation forces. They have also spoken at events for the Israel lobby group, the Jewish Leadership Council.”
Again, I pass this on without comment.
Others have simply pointed to the alternative “alternative Christmas message”, that was provided by Fry’s fellow Jewish comedian, much loved institution of British comedy Alexei Sayle.
This was not broadcast on television, but was instead made available on the social media. You may draw your own conclusions about why one got wider distribution to the public while the other did not.
Here it is:
Alexei get’s it right. https://t.co/8jztamOp6q
— James Mac (@ferryhill9) December 26, 2023
Which message do you prefer?
Or do they both have merit?
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Stephen Fry was obviously intimidated and threatened by the very powerful zionist/fascist Fulwell73 organisation. It is a fact the fascist Israeli regime have immense political power and money to silence critics and issue endless lies and more lies and more lies concerning their genocide of Palestinian women, children and men!
Fry was doubtless told ‘unless you publicly demonstrate your support for our fascist/zionist murderous Israeli regime we will ensure you never work again! ‘
Regarding coward Fry’s address well Alexei Sayle succinctly states the obvious – ‘they lie and lie and lie and lie ad nauseum!’ Meaning the fascist/zionist Israeli supporters’ response is always to lie and lie and lie etc.!
There is no merit in coward Fry’s total capitulation to the fascist Israeli regime! One need look no further than as to why Alexei Sayle’s christmas message was not reported by the rabid pro-fascist Israeli supporting malestream media!
I don’t think he was intimidated; I think he either agreed with what he was being asked to say, or he didn’t look into it in a thorough manner beforehand.