Record company pressured to sever ties with Roger Waters
In a recent development, 15 different organizations, including the Central Council of Jews in Germany and the Anti-Defamation League, have intervened with an open statement to Thomas Rabe, CEO of Bertelsmann/BMG. The organizations are calling on Rabe to reconsider the company's professional relationship with Roger Waters, co-founder of Pink Floyd, due to his perceived anti-Semitic statements and actions.
The open letter, sent via various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, SMS, WhatsApp, and Email, is a response to the ongoing controversy surrounding Waters. The controversy stems from his comparison of the murdered Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh to Anne Frank at a concert, a comparison that struck a chord with many representatives of the Jewish community.
The organizations have also highlighted 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. In a lengthy blog entry, Waters has been criticized for controversial statements, including comments perceived as anti-Semitic and pro-Putin.
The alliance respectfully asked Bertelsmann/BMG to reconsider its business relationship with Waters, citing the company's unique history, particularly its actions during World War II, and expressing concern about the company's continued association with him. The letter states that Waters has repeatedly shown a determination to fan the flames of hate.
However, neither Thomas Rabe nor Roger Waters have commented on the written letter so far. Some local politicians in Germany have tried to get Waters' concerts banned, but the status of these attempts remains unclear. The 15 organizations that intervened in the open statement to Thomas Rabe have not been identified in the provided search results.
The representatives of the Jewish community have addressed Waters' label with clear words in response to his comparison of Shireen Abu Akleh to Anne Frank. The letter to Thomas Rabe is part of a growing movement to hold public figures accountable for their words and actions, particularly when they are perceived as promoting hate speech or anti-Semitic ideologies.
This is not the first time Waters has been embroiled in controversy. His statements and actions have been a subject of debate for quite some time, prompting questions about his commitment to promoting understanding and peace. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Bertelsmann/BMG will respond to the open letter and whether Waters will address the concerns raised by the 15 organizations.
