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A concert in London by the Scottish rock band Primal Scream on Monday sparked outrage after on-screen visuals merged swastikas with Stars of David, prompting a police complaint from a Jewish security organization.
The incident occurred at the Roundhouse, a historic venue in north London. During the band’s performance of its 2000 song “Swastika Eyes,” large screens displayed images of political leaders altered with extremist symbols.
Specifically, the visuals replaced the leaders’ eyes with flashing swastikas set inside Stars of David. Among those shown were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The montage also featured U.S. President Donald Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Meanwhile, the imagery cut repeatedly to scenes from Gaza. At the song’s conclusion, the phrase “Our government is complicit in genocide” appeared across the screen.
The band Primal Scream have got some strange taste in background videos, like Netanyahu with swastikas in his eyes… pic.twitter.com/d3fPOk7tkX
— The Electronic Uprising (@uprising_1) December 11, 2025
Jewish Security Organization Reports Incident to Police
In response, the UK-based Community Security Trust (CST) confirmed that it filed a police report over the incident and urged the Roundhouse to launch an urgent investigation. “Entwining a Star of David with a swastika implies that Jews are Nazis and risks encouraging hatred of Jews,” a CST spokesperson said.
Such imagery violates the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, which identifies drawing comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany as antisemitic, because these claims invert history, trivialize genocide, and weaponize Jewish trauma against the Jewish state.
As a result, Jewish groups warned that the visuals risk fueling hostility toward Jews at a time of sharply rising antisemitism across the United Kingdom.
Roundhouse Condemns Imagery and Distances Itself
The Roundhouse responded quickly, stating that it had no prior knowledge of the visuals used during the performance. A spokesperson described the images as “highly offensive” and said they violated the venue’s values. Moreover, the venue emphasized it “absolutely condemns antisemitism in every form.”
“We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community,” the spokesperson added. “Our spaces must remain secure, respectful, and welcoming for everyone.”
Band Defends Visuals as Provocation, Not Hate
By contrast, Primal Scream rejected accusations of antisemitism in a statement posted on Instagram Friday. “The film is a piece of art,” the band said. “It clearly draws from history to question where the actions of current world governments sit in that context.” The statement further claimed that the visuals aimed to provoke debate rather than hatred. Additionally, the band framed the display as an exercise of free expression within a liberal society.
Longstanding Anti-Israel Activism
Founded in 1982 and led by frontman Bobby Gillespie, Primal Scream has repeatedly taken public positions hostile to Israel. In October, the band joined hundreds of musicians calling for their work to be blocked from distribution in Israel. The initiative, titled “No Music for Genocide,” protested Israel’s war against Hamas following the October 7, 2023 massacre.
However, critics argue that the Roundhouse incident crossed a clear line. Instead of political critique, they say, the visuals relied on antisemitic symbolism that demonized Jewish identity. Therefore, Jewish organizations stress that this case is not about artistic freedom. Rather, it reflects how extremist imagery continues to enter mainstream cultural spaces, with real consequences for Jewish safety.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
