Julian Casablancas Calls Out White Privilege of American Zionists in Viral SubwayTakes Interview

The Strokes’ frontman Julian Casablancas has sparked controversy by criticizing what he described as the “white privilege” of American Zionists during an appearance on the web series SubwayTakes.

Casablancas made the remarks while speaking with host Kareem Rahma, stating that “American Zionists get the benefits of white privileged people, but talk like they are Black people during slavery.” Rahma agreed with the comment, adding that Zionists often claim to be oppressed while attending events in Tel Aviv amid ongoing violence in Gaza.

The musician further clarified his position by addressing potential counterarguments, noting that while he acknowledged the violence of Hamas’ October 7 attack as “bad,” he argued that historical rebellions by enslaved people or Native Americans did not justify systemic oppression. “Just for the people that are gonna be like, ‘Hamas, October 7th.’ Um, yes, bad,” Casablancas said. “But Native American rebellions didn’t mean it was okay to do what we did. Slave rebellions that were violent didn’t mean that slavery is not bad.”

Casablancas also spoke about the role of indoctrination in shaping political views, saying that while he understands how people are influenced by long-held beliefs, he criticized the idea of blaming individuals for views they were taught. “Indoctrination is such a strong thing. We just want to be part of the tribe,” he stated. “So I get it, but it is a sad fact the brainwashing of just people in general. You can’t be mad just because something was rammed down their throat, necessarily.”

When asked about hope for change, Casablancas expressed optimism that people are “awakening” and that progress could happen “eventually.”

The appearance on SubwayTakes came the same day The Strokes released a politically charged visual montage during their Coachella performance, which included imagery referencing CIA interventions, Martin Luther King Jr., and destruction in Gaza and Iran. Casablancas has previously voiced support for Palestinian rights, including signing an open letter in 2021 and advocating for a boycott of performances in Israel.

SubwayTakes, hosted by Kareem Rahma, features informal interviews with celebrities filmed on New York subway trains. Past guests have included Charli XCX, Cate Blanchett, FKA Twigs, and David Byrne. In this episode, Casablancas also performed an impromptu demo of “You Only Live Once” with Rahma and shared frustrations about modern technology and voice notes.

The Strokes are set to release their upcoming album Reality Awaits on June 26, 2026, their first full-length record in six years. The album was recorded in Costa Rica with producer Rick Rubin and finished in various global locations. It will be released via Cult Records/RCA Records and is available for pre-order.

The band has also announced a world tour spanning the UK, North America, Europe, and Japan, with dates including stops at London’s O2, Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, Manchester’s Co-op Live, and Dublin’s 3Arena in October 2026. This will mark their first full tour in the UK and Ireland in over two decades.