Roger Waters Asks Madonna to Support Human Rights and Cancel Eurovision

It was announced that Madonna is scheduled to perform in the finale of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest, but the event organizers have not officially announced she would be playing.

Madonna has agreed to $1M to perform two songs at the contest, and the United States said they would not be carrying the show, feeling Madonna could not bring in the ratings to make it worth their while.

In an open letter to the Guardian, Waters wrote regularly he is accused of being an anti-semite. He continued by attacking him; it diverts attention to the crimes Israel has inflicted against humanity.

Adding, he should point out that he supports fighting for human rights of all oppressed people around the world. The religion of the oppressed is inconsequential.

Waters is a former member of the legendary rock group Pink Floyd, best known for “The Wall” a rock opera. He has been a long time supporter of Palestine and has angered Israelis after asking artists to boycott Israel.

He is also a supporter of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement which asks musicians to boycott Israel until they change the way they treat the Palestinians.

The Anti-Defamation League had defended Waters against those who harassed him calling him an anti-semite, in the past, but in 2013 they changed their view. They said that conspiracy theories about anti-semitism have tainted Waters’ views.

Madonna is not the only big name to come under attack after saying they would be performing in Israel from activists who are pro-Palestinian. Elvis Costello, Cat Power, and Lorde have canceled gigs.

Defenders of Israel has said asking Madonna to boycott Eurovision is hypocritical, and feel as if the country is being singled out. They stated that many prominent named musicians would play in countries which have a dictatorship.

Madonna a supporter of Israel, has not commented on the subject, nor mentioned how she feels about the Palestinian people and the strife they are going through.

Written by Barbara Sobel

Sources:

The Guardian: If you believe in human rights, Madonna, don’t play Tel Aviv
Times Of Israel: Roger Waters calls on Madonna not to perform at Eurovision in Tel Aviv

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