International Jewish Human Rights Organization Denounces BTS Over Alleged “Anti-Semitism”
The Simon Wiesthenthal Center has denounced BTS over supposed anti-seminist activities. The SWC is an International Jewish Human Rights organization dedicated to confronting antisemitism, hate, and terrorism.
Popular Korean Band Whose Japan Performance Was Cancelled For T-Shirt Mocking A-Bomb Victims, Once Posed With Nazi SS Death Head Symbols, Flew Nazi-Like Flags At Concert #BTS https://t.co/qqvYBvwZxd
— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) November 11, 2018
They released a statement denouncing BTS for acts like “wearing a T-shirt in Japan mocking the victims of the Nagasaki A-bomb”, wearing hats with the Nazi SS Death Head logo in a photoshoot, and using flags at their concert that were “eerily similar to the Nazi Swastika”.
Rabbi Cooper, the Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action of the SWC, called for an apology to Japan and the victims of Nazism.
They also warned against the potential of young generations of Korea identifying bigotry and intolerance as ‘being cool’ and cause history to be erased, because of BTS’s large influence amongst the youth of Korea.
The statement also included a link to a New York Times article, detailing the issue of BTS’s Japanese Music Station appearance being cancelled, where AsahiTV referenced a shirt Jimin wore in 2017 depicting a “mushroom cloud rising over the Japanese city of Nagasaki.”
The shirt that was criticized for “mocking victims”, was created to celebrate Korea’s liberation from Japanese imperialism.
The hat in question, has allegedly been photoshopped and originally looked like this.
The flags, were also props given to BTS at their performance at Seo Taiji’s concert and supposedly represent the song “Classroom Idea” which criticizes the education system in Korea.
Some Japanese assert the flag ,which BTS is waving in left picture, is 'Nazis'.
BUT that is fake. The flag is Classroom Idea logo. (right picture) Classroom Idea is the song which criticizes reality of education in Korea. #BTS #SEOTAIJI pic.twitter.com/YXiKB17H99— 토브 (@tobJinS2) November 11, 2018
Seo Taiji’s company has been contacted by ARMY regarding the situation with the flags, and have stated they are reviewing the details and prepared to take further action against the false reports.
I send a report to bighit and also to seotaiji company last saturday. And I received a reply this morning. pic.twitter.com/N87oSG1C46
— 💜Kate Andrea🖤 (@YoonMinssi_) November 12, 2018
Fans and media alike have urged the center to re-assess the situation and re-think their decision to denounce the band.
This is the most ridiculous nonsense I've read in a long time.😂😂 The rest of the world doesn't live by your rules. That flag in Seo Taiji×BTS is NOT a Nazi flag, & FYI the Swasthika is a religious symbol in Hinduism & was one for centuries before the Nazis twisted it.
— Rimi 🌳 (@realgreenfields) November 12, 2018
THIS is the real point, and the world is showing why this is the real point. By leveraging the nuclear attack, Japan has decoupled itself from the Nazis in the eyes of Western liberals. It is considered a victim of World War II, not the prepetrator and killer of millions.
— T.K. of AAK! (@AskAKorean) November 12, 2018
The “Nazi” thing is not even true! One accusation is based on a photoshop of a hat RM wore in a photo shoot and the other is a smear about some costumes and flags used in the Seo Taiji time traveller concert.
— Belinda Tan 🐋💜🐋 陈静碹 (@badtanline) November 12, 2018
