The Quenelle gesture

[Crimson Dynamo]

How do you feel about Anelka and the Quenelle

is it anti-establishment, anti-Zionist or anti-Semitic and is it a big storm in a teacup?

Zoopla pulling out of West Brom seems a remarkable flounce but in France the Quenelle is growing amid the youth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quenelle_(gesture)

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/72001000/jpg/_72001256_dieudonne_anelka464.jpg

[Niamh.]

Never heard of it before and that wiki link doesn't say anything

[Crimson Dynamo]

Never heard of it before and that wiki link doesn't say anything

try this

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-25550581

[Niamh.]

try this

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-25550581

Thank you, hmmmm, it was a stupid move on the footballers part by the sounds of it, I guess he has to take the consequences of being in the public eye and not thinking statements like this through properly

[Jesus.]

When you take the context and timing of it, it's obviously supporting his friend, but the day before he did it, the French government were trying to ban this comedian and his group from meeting in public spaces, because of their anti-Semitic views. That in itself is a stupid thing to do by the French.

But as for Anelka's motives, none of us will really know. He's a Muslim, so it's not beyond the realms of plausibility he could dislike Jews, but then again he's a footballer, so it's more likely, that he's just incredibly stupid.

[Brother Leon]

I always thought it was anti establishment when I saw French people doing it before Anelka, but it is used as an anti Semitic gesture more recently.

[Kyle]

Nice bit of free publicity for Zoopla saying they won't be renewing their sponsorship after this season. A lot of Baggies fans were ringing football phone ins saying they weren't planning on renewing anyway.

[lily.]

I'm not really sure what to make of this at all.

According to Dieudonné (the comedian who came up with this), it doesn't represent Anti-Semitism, but Anti-Zionism. I get that there's a difference, but I don't completely get what the difference is.

The comedian obviously has a lot of controversial political opinions, and it seems that France is trying to shut him up by banning him from performing etc.

Anelka is good friends with Dieudonné and it has been said that he was showing support for his friend.

I think it was a stupid move, given the amount of people who associate it with the Nazi salute, and I'm not surprised Zoopla have threatened to pull their sponsorship. Nobody wants to be associated with this kind of thing.

I agree with Jesus. The biggest problem here is that Anelka is probably not smart enough to realise the ramifications of such a gesture.

[Jezzy]

Nice bit of free publicity for Zoopla saying they won't be renewing their sponsorship after this season. A lot of Baggies fans were ringing football phone ins saying they weren't planning on renewing anyway.

They weren't going to renew. Suggesting it's because of that gesture is pure spin.

[Jesus.]

The owner of Zoopla is Jewish.

[Livia]

For what it's worth, I think it's insulting. Especially, as Jesus said, coming so soon after the whole French Government/anti-Semitic comedian thing. I also agree with lily, I don't think Anelka is the brightest button in the box.

[Jezzy]

Difference in the commercial / Zoopla issue than the moral issue. I know the owner of Zoopla is Jewish, but they had already decided not to renew the sponsorship at the end of this season, because West Brom are (word replaced). (Sorry) And Anelka has been a massive disappointment, I actually started my FF team with him this year and soon sacked him. Digression.

I think that if what the media tells me it represents, it actually represents, it makes me go cold. Are there any other interpretations of the gesture?

[Nedusa]

I think Anelka is incredibly stupid, I mean if this gesture in any way is anti Semitic then as a professional footballer playing in front of the cameras Why oh Why go anywhere near this ?

Aside from insulting Jewish people why put yourself into this situation.

Stupid man, insulting gesture should know better...

Deserves the lengthy ban he will now surely get !!!!