WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (UPI) — Former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters disapproves of rock band Bon Jovi’s following through with plans to play a concert in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The 72-year-old British musician published a scathing open letter to the group — bandleader Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan and Tico Torres — on Salon.com Friday, claiming they “stand shoulder to shoulder” with those who have committed violent acts toward Palestinians.
“You stand shoulder to shoulder with the settler who burned the baby…with the bulldozer driver who crushed Rachel Corrie…with the soldier who shot the soccer player’s feet to bits,” he wrote, linking each act with a corresponding report.
Waters is well known for his bombastic opposition to the U.S. ally’s policies against Palestine, writing open letters frequently to entertainers who agree to performing in the country.
“I traveled widely in Israel and the West Bank and now nine years later having done my research, I have come to the conclusion that BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) is the most viable, peaceful way to end the suffering of and forge a better future for, all the people of the Holy Land,” he wrote in a previous letter to Robbie Williams.
The musician’s latest letter is far more to the point.
“Having read Jon’s comments last week in Yedioth Ahronoth, I won’t waste my time drawing parallels with Apartheid South Africa and the moral stand that so many artists took then and that thousands are taking now in the face of decades of Israeli oppression of Palestinians,” he wrote.
“So the die is cast,” he added before listing several acts committed between Israelis and Palestinians. “You are making your stand.”
Bon Jovi is expected to perform in Israel Saturday; the band’s lead singer recently proclaimed his admiration for Tel Aviv ahead of the concert, saying he isn’t interested in Rogers’ boycott campaign.
“Yes, I heard about that but it doesn’t interest me,” he told Yedioth Ahronoth. “I told my managers to give one simple answer: That I’m coming to Israel and I’m excited to come.”
The singer explained he’s most excited to visit the metropolitan city for its “vibrant and dynamic” culture and “great restaurants.” He and the band will reportedly spend more time than just the day of their concert in Tel Aviv. “There are a few places in the world that I haven’t been, Israel is one of them,” he said. “So I’m thrilled to be coming. We want to stay for a few days and see as much as possible.”
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