B
ritish musician Roger Waters has encountered a concerted effort by Israeli lobbies to disrupt his Latin American tour, reportedly due to his outspoken support for the Palestinian people amid recent hostilities with Israel.
In an exclusive interview with TRT World, the Pink Floyd co-founder detailed the opposition he’s faced, including attempts to cancel his shows and boycotts based on accusations of anti-Semitism, which he vehemently denies.
Waters, known for his high-grossing tours and political activism, has described the actions of these lobbies as a smear campaign against him for condemning what he perceives as Israel’s “collective punishment” of Gaza residents.
He expressed his empathy for the people of Gaza, referring to the Israeli assault as being supported by “the most powerful empire in the world,” a statement indicative of his critical view of U.S. foreign policy.
The 80-year-old artist revealed that during his ‘This Is Not a Drill’ tour in Argentina and Uruguay, he faced a boycott campaign that he alleges was orchestrated by Israeli lobbies. They managed to co-opt hotels in Buenos Aires and Montevideo, leading to extraordinary measures taken against his stay and performance.
Waters’ troubles extended to Santiago, Chile, where he claims there were also attempts to cancel his show despite its popularity and sold-out status. This backlash followed him to Brazil, where he reportedly had to lodge in Sao Paulo after being told there was no room available in Argentina.
During a performance in Buenos Aires, Waters spoke to his audience about being silenced for his belief in human rights. This statement came amid legal and political challenges, with an Argentine lawyer filing a complaint against him and a Uruguayan lawmaker calling for the revocation of his title as a Distinguished Visitor, first awarded in 2018.
The Israeli lobbies, according to Waters, have accused him of spreading hatred against Jewish people, an accusation he rejects, comparing the tactics used against him to those in “Goebbels’ playbook.”
Despite these challenges, the Latin American Confederation of Workers showed solidarity with Waters, offering their hotels to him and his band amid the controversy. His tour also included a meeting with former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica, known for his leftist stance.
Waters has been a vocal critic of Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians and has supported the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. He has consistently criticized the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, which began in 1967 and is considered illegal under international law.
The artist’s visit to Chile also included engagement with Club Deportivo Palestino, a football club founded by the Palestinian diaspora, where he received thanks for his solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The ongoing genocide in Gaza has drawn the attention of various international artists and activists like Waters, who use their platforms to voice their concerns and support for affected populations. Waters’ actions and the ensuing backlash underscore the polarizing nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its far-reaching impact on global discourse.
Source: TRT World
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