U2 Manager supports Israeli war crimes
The manager of U2, a rock band well known for human rights campaigning, has taken part in fundraising activities for an organisation that supports Israel’s war crimes.
Guy Oseary, who also manages Madonna, attended a 2014 fundraising gala in Los Angeles, California, for Friends of the IDF.
The event – which reportedly brought in $33 million to the organisation’s coffers – was held just a few months after Israel’s 51-day bombardment of Gaza that year.
Although photographs of Oseary attending the event were posted on the Internet, his participation has not drawn any criticism before now.
His participation can only be interpreted as an endorsement of the Israeli military and its activities. Friends of the IDF helps recruit for the Israeli military. It does so by sponsoring “lone soldiers” – Israeli troops with family living abroad – for the entire duration of their service.
The gala that Oseary attended featured a tribute to soldiers who had attacked Gaza earlier in 2014. Friends of the IDF assisted that offensive by supplying mobile showers, snacks, underwear and cell phone chargers to troops invading Gaza.
By giving that aid, Friends of the IDF can pose as a charity that is providing comfort to Israeli soldiers. The group has stretched the concept of “humanitarian” activities to its limit. Genuine humanitarians would be more concerned with helping the victims of Israeli aggression than meeting the personal hygiene requirements of the aggressors.
Friends of the IDF can count on support from the most powerful political and business figures in the US. Donald Trump, the president-elect, has pledged money to the group in the past – although it has been reported that someone else actually made the $250,000 donation that he promised.
Oseary did not respond to multiple requests asking how much he has donated to Friends of the IDF. The organisation itself also did not reply to a request for comment.
Organising galas is one of Friends of the IDF’s preferred methods of fundraising. Tickets for one such gala – scheduled to take place in Boston next month – are priced at $3,600 for a table of 12.
The gala which Oseary attended was hosted by Haim Saban, an entrepreneur who helped finance Hillary Clinton’s failed campaign for last week’s presidential election.
Oseary’s support for Friends of the IDF is at odds with U2’s professed concern for human rights.
“Callous”
Since the 1980s, U2 has been vocal in its support for human rights group Amnesty International. Amnesty has accused Israeli troops of displaying “callous indifference to the carnage” they caused while attacking Gaza in 2014. According to the group, Israel’s violence against civilian homes “brazenly flouted the laws of war.”
Amnesty International issued a brief statement when asked if the organisation was concerned about Oseary’s support for Friends of the IDF.
“We are not in a position to comment on a private donation made by an individual who is not a staff member or official representative of Amnesty International and would urge you to contact U2 or their representatives directly,” the group stated. “U2 are prominent supporters of Amnesty International’s work and have regularly sought to raise awareness of human rights issues.”
The band and its then manager Paul McGuinness were given Amnesty’s annual “ambassador of conscience” award in 2005.
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Guy Oseary, who also manages Madonna, attended a 2014 fundraising gala in Los Angeles, California, for Friends of the IDF.
The event – which reportedly brought in $33 million to the organisation’s coffers – was held just a few months after Israel’s 51-day bombardment of Gaza that year.
Although photographs of Oseary attending the event were posted on the Internet, his participation has not drawn any criticism before now.
His participation can only be interpreted as an endorsement of the Israeli military and its activities. Friends of the IDF helps recruit for the Israeli military. It does so by sponsoring “lone soldiers” – Israeli troops with family living abroad – for the entire duration of their service.
The gala that Oseary attended featured a tribute to soldiers who had attacked Gaza earlier in 2014. Friends of the IDF assisted that offensive by supplying mobile showers, snacks, underwear and cell phone chargers to troops invading Gaza.
By giving that aid, Friends of the IDF can pose as a charity that is providing comfort to Israeli soldiers. The group has stretched the concept of “humanitarian” activities to its limit. Genuine humanitarians would be more concerned with helping the victims of Israeli aggression than meeting the personal hygiene requirements of the aggressors.
Friends of the IDF can count on support from the most powerful political and business figures in the US. Donald Trump, the president-elect, has pledged money to the group in the past – although it has been reported that someone else actually made the $250,000 donation that he promised.
Oseary did not respond to multiple requests asking how much he has donated to Friends of the IDF. The organisation itself also did not reply to a request for comment.
Organising galas is one of Friends of the IDF’s preferred methods of fundraising. Tickets for one such gala – scheduled to take place in Boston next month – are priced at $3,600 for a table of 12.
The gala which Oseary attended was hosted by Haim Saban, an entrepreneur who helped finance Hillary Clinton’s failed campaign for last week’s presidential election.
Oseary’s support for Friends of the IDF is at odds with U2’s professed concern for human rights.
“Callous”
Since the 1980s, U2 has been vocal in its support for human rights group Amnesty International. Amnesty has accused Israeli troops of displaying “callous indifference to the carnage” they caused while attacking Gaza in 2014. According to the group, Israel’s violence against civilian homes “brazenly flouted the laws of war.”
Amnesty International issued a brief statement when asked if the organisation was concerned about Oseary’s support for Friends of the IDF.
“We are not in a position to comment on a private donation made by an individual who is not a staff member or official representative of Amnesty International and would urge you to contact U2 or their representatives directly,” the group stated. “U2 are prominent supporters of Amnesty International’s work and have regularly sought to raise awareness of human rights issues.”
The band and its then manager Paul McGuinness were given Amnesty’s annual “ambassador of conscience” award in 2005.
READ MORE
