Franz Ferdinand have spoken out about the Israeli Defense Forces using their 2003 song “Take Me Out” in a propaganda video. Frontman Alex Kapranos shared the video on Instagram over the weekend, criticizing the IDF for using their music “without our consent.”
The IDF video features footage of fighter jets and explosions as an Israeli soldier celebrates the country’s recent attacks on Iran. The post is captioned: “Operation Roaring Lion – this is how it’s done.”
“These warmongering murderers are using our music without our consent,” Kapranos wrote. “This makes us both nauseous and furious. Kind of typical though, isn’t it? To strut up and take what isn’t theirs with a vile arrogance…”
On Feb. 28, Israel and the U.S. launched a joint military campaign against Iran, which Donald Trump dubbed Operation Epic Fury. Trump announced in a Truth Social post that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the attacks. Iran later confirmed his death.
Iran retaliated soon after with missile attacks against Israeli targets as well as U.S. military bases in several Arab countries, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Trump has since proclaimed that he will take control over who Iran selects as their next leader. “He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump told ABC News on Sunday about a possible new supreme leader. “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long.”
Franz Ferdinand have shared their political views in the past, including critiquing Trump in their 2016 song “Demagogue.” The song was released as part of 30 Days, 30 Songs, an independent campaign created by “Artists for a Trump-free America.” Following Trump’s election as president, Kapranos tweeted, “Have I actually woken up? Or am I typing this as part of the nightmare? Feels horrifyingly real.”
Franz Ferdinand’s most recent LP, The Human Fear, arrived last year. The band will tour in the U.K. and Europe throughout March and April.
Matt Collyer of The Planet Smashers
