IT'S ALL GREEK TO ME

Greek composer and cultural icon Mikis Theodorakis has jumped on the anti-Semitism bandwagon, unleashing the following vicious tirade against the Jews:

"We, the Greeks, did not turn aggressive like them because we have more history. They only have Abraham and Jacob, who were shadows, while we have Pericles. Imagine what would happen in Greece if we were as aggressive as the Jews...Today it is possible to say that this small nation is the root of evil. It is full of self-importance and evil stubbornness."

But we shouldn't be surprised. His website contains statements like these:

"This moment I see, as does everyone who lives and breathes, the biblical destruction of Baghdad. Amid the flames that engulf the martyr city, I see the image of the USA as a civilized country being annihilated within me. I see Bush standing shoulder to shoulder with Genghis Khan, Attila and Hitler. I view Americans responsible as detestable, ruthless, cowardly murderers of entire peoples. From this moment on and forever after I will view as my enemy anyone who has anything to do with these barbarians for any reason. The hatred of simple people from the entire world must rise like a great wave to drown them in shame."

"And what relations can we, the Greeks, have with those who murder women and children in cold blood, knowing that this is being done, firstly, to let America's leaders share the petrol supplies between them, and secondly, to turn Iraq into an American protectorate that will control by force of arms the whole Middle East."

How do you say "Go to hell" in Greek?

Update: Jerusalem Post reports that Shimon Peres told Army Radio this morning that Europe's growing dissatisfaction with Israel is not a result of anti-Semitism, but rather the Israeli government's unpopular policies regarding the Palestinians. Sure, Shimon. Did you forget to take your medication again?