There have never been more people speaking up for Jews and Israel than there are right now. Every day, social media feeds and inboxes are filled with individuals, Jewish and non-Jewish, fighting against the lies, double-speak, and sheer insanity of those who vilify the Jewish way of life and Israel, the safest place in the world for Jews to live freely and openly.
Many of those who are speaking up were in Toronto on May 17 for the World Symposium Against Antizionism, a first-of-its-kind event that brought together leading voices speaking out against the hatred that many encounter constantly these days. National Post readers have surely watched, heard, or read their work, and found themselves nodding along in agreement, wondering why their moral clarity and sound reasoning have not helped the world see the light.
However, you are likely less familiar with Nick Valensi and his brand of activism. He has taken a very different approach to the issue at hand—one that we all need to consider very carefully because it has serious merit, even if it appears diametrically opposed to the advocacy approach that much of the Jewish community has adopted since October 7.
A Rock Star's Quiet Stand
In April, New York rock legends the Strokes, of whom Valensi is a founding member, headlined the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California. Coachella runs annually on two consecutive weekends, with the same bands largely playing both, and the Strokes' first performance was considered a major hit. But on the second weekend, the band's appearance was largely overshadowed by political statements made from the stage by lead singer Julian Casablancas, along with imagery displayed on massive video walls that criticized the wars against Iran and Hamas.
Casablancas followed up by appearing on the popular YouTube series Subway Takes, where famous people are interviewed while riding the New York metro. During the interview, he made inflammatory remarks about American Zionists, comparing them to white supremacists and downplaying the October 7 attacks. He concluded by saying, "It's been nice having a career," as if Jewish, Zionist overlords would immediately disband the Strokes for wrong-think. Of course, nothing of the sort happened.
Valensi's Silent Response
But something crucial did happen: Valensi immediately stopped performing with the band. When the Strokes did a set on one of the final episodes of Stephen Colbert's late-night show, Valensi was nowhere to be seen. The band issued a statement saying, "Nick Valensi will be taking a temporary break from the scheduled tour, but we look forward to his return." Valensi has said nothing publicly since Casablancas' outbursts, but fans and followers are generally of the mind that he has left the Strokes because of Casablancas' statements about Jews. It's not hard to see the reasoning. Valensi himself is Jewish—you might say very Jewish.
Valensi's approach to activism is markedly different from the vocal, social-media-driven advocacy that many have adopted. By stepping away from the band without fanfare or public statements, he has made a powerful statement about his values. His quiet leadership offers a compelling alternative for those who may feel overwhelmed by the constant noise of online activism. In a world where everyone is shouting, sometimes the most effective response is silence—a silence that speaks volumes.
