Waters. 'Israelis are human beings'
Photo: Reuters
Palestinians to Waters: Cancel Israel visit
Artist group says "inconceivable" that composer of The Wall would visit Israel "as if everything were normal"; Waters says he's coming
A group of Palestinian artists has asked Roger Waters to cancel is upcoming concert in Tel Aviv, according to a British journalist.
Waters, best known as the bassist for legendary rock band Pink Floyd and the composer of the band's best-selling album The Wall, has recently come out against Israel's West Bank security fence.
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Guy Benyovits
Roger Waters' upcoming visit to Israel is the most important thing to happen here in a long time. It is a must-see concert
The Palestinians claim Waters' appearance in Israel will be interpreted as if he has retracted his objection to the fence.
In a letter to Waters, the Union of Palestinian Artists wrote, "How could an artist so closely identified with breaking down walls of injustice would cooperate with this monstrous wall that has been declared illegal by the International Court of Justice in The Hague?"
Choreographer Omar Barghouti, one of the authors of the letter, said, "(Waters') appearance in Israel as if everything were okay, as if they weren't building this appalling wall – it's absolutely unbelievable."
While taking part in the War on Want campaign against the fence, Waters said, "The poverty that will be caused by this wall will be a deadly blow to the Palestinians."
Now, in reaction to the protest, Waters told the Guardian newspaper, "I have many fans in Israel, many of whom refuse to serve in the military. I won't cancel my trip to Israel because I don't agree with the government's policies, just as I won't stop performing in Britain simply because I disagree with the policies of Tony Blair.
"People who live in Israel are human beings, just like everyone."
