Label instructed to sever ties with Roger Waters
Roger Waters, the co-founder of Pink Floyd, is once again at the centre of a storm of criticism over perceived anti-Semitic statements and actions. An alliance of 15 organisations, including the Anti-Defamation League, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and the American Jewish Committee, has written an open letter to Waters' music label Bertelsmann/BMG, urging them to reconsider their business relationship with the musician.
The letter states that Waters has repeatedly shown a determination to fan the flames of hate instead of speaking out against bigotry, given his enormous influence. The organisations have expressed their concern about Waters' anti-Semitic statements and actions, citing incidents such as his comparison of the murdered Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh to Anne Frank at a concert, and an alleged call by Waters to destroy the state of Israel.
The criticism also stems from several controversial statements made by Waters, including a blog entry that some perceive as critical of the 'German psyche' and anti-Semitic. Waters' appearance in a coat reminiscent of an SS uniform and his relativizations of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine before the UN Security Council have also been sources of controversy.
Some local politicians in Germany have attempted to ban Waters' concerts due to his controversial statements. The letter further states that, given Bertelsmann's unique history during World War II, it is concerning that the company would continue to benefit from its relationship with Roger Waters, especially in light of recent actions suggesting that anti-Semitism is not a concern.
As of yet, neither Thomas Rabe, a spokesman for BMG, nor Roger Waters have commented on the written letter. The open letter has been shared on various platforms including Facebook, Twitter, SMS, WhatsApp, and Email. The alliance respectfully asks Bertelsmann/BMG to reconsider its professional relationship with Roger Waters and looks forward to a response.
The controversy surrounding Waters' anti-Semitic statements and actions is not the first time he has faced criticism for his political views. In the past, he has been accused of promoting conspiracy theories and supporting controversial figures. It remains to be seen how Bertelsmann/BMG will respond to the open letter and whether any action will be taken as a result.
