Features
Waters Sets Record Straight
Having spent three years on the highest-grossing tour of all time by a solo artist, Roger Waters wants to set the record straight on what’s been its most controversial aspect – what many perceive to be his anti-Semitism.
The 70-year-old Pink Floyd co-founder says he never intended to offend the Jewish people.
“I worry about it every day. It’s a huge concern to me that I would be considered to be a bully,” he explained.
The use of the Star of David – which appears on Israel’s flag and is a symbol of its government – and Waters’ call for other artists to boycott the country drew criticism from Jewish-born promoters including Marek Lieberberg and Shuki Weiss.
After protests leading up to the September performances in Germany at Berlin Olympic Stadium and Dusseldorf Esprit Arena, Lieberberg told Pollstar that he doesn’t believe Waters is anti-Semitic. He did say he advised Waters that using an inflatable pig featuring a Star of David during his show is likely to cause offence.
Jewish dietary law strictly forbids eating pork.
Waters later communicated with Anti-Defamation League national director Abraham Foxman and the rocker agreed to move the Stars of David further away from the dollar signs that also appeared on the inflatable pig.
Continued complaints from some of the Jewish community also caused him to add a crucifix and star-crescent to the pig.
For the past seven years, Waters has also supported the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement over concerns about how Palestinians are treated.
He’s called on Israel to tear down its West Bank separation barrier, and has encouraged other artists to follow his lead and refuse to perform in the Jewish state.
Waters says he doesn’t see the BDS movement as a threat to Israel and points out that it has some backing in Israel itself.
However, most Israelis view the movement as hostile and counterproductive to peace efforts.
Some even liken it to delegitimizing the Jewish state altogether.
Waters isn’t the only major artist to criticize Israel, with Elvis Costello, Pixies, Santana, Gorillaz Sound System, and Bjork all electing to cancel shows there altogether in recent years.
Elton John, Paul McCartney, Madonna, and Depeche Mode are among those who have made the trip.
The Wall’s next stop is the Broadway musical version, which will begin preparation in January.