Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis said in a television interview that he is an "anti-Semite and anti-Zionist."zorba the greek

Theodorakis, who composed the music for the film "Zorba the Greek," also said in the interview on Greece's High channel that "everything that happens today in the world has to do with the Zionists"

The 86-year-old composer added that "American Jews are behind the world economic crisis that has hit Greece also."

A local hero, Theodorakis was, and is, involved in politics. He has been a member of the Greek communist party for the last 60 years. Although once a supporter of Israel he gradually became its biggest critic in Greece, later going from criticizing Israel to making anti-Semitic remarks and holding anti-Semitic positions.

In 2003, he declared that "Jews are at the root of all evil." When the Greek Jewish community reacted strongly to his statement he apologized, but nothing really changed.mikis theodorakis anti semitic

Strangely, during the television interview, Theodorakis said "I'm an anti-Semite but I love Jews."

Theodorakis criticized Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou for meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the composer, Netanyahu is a persona non-grata in Greece due to his "war crimes in Lebanon and Gaza."

The composer warned the Greek people during his interview, saying, "We are in danger. In a few days the Zionists will gather in Greece for a conference." He was referring to the visit of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, which began Tuesday.

via jta.org