Roger Waters Gives Direct Statement About Antisemitism Accusations

Roger Waters Gives Direct Statement About Antisemitism Accusations | I Love Classic Rock Videos

Roger Waters in an interview with John Hass - The Global Consortium for Sustainable Peace / Youtube

In light of recent cancellations of his concerts in Germany due to antisemitic allegations, Roger Waters has taken to Instagram to provide a statement in his defense.

The Pink Floyd legend has been under fire recently because he frequently finds himself at the center of controversy after speaking his mind publicly about politics. One may argue, though, that Roger is unfazed by the constant stream of criticism he receives, given that the rock star typically stands by his statements and defends his stance. So, when Frankfurt and Munich canceled his performances at local festivals on the grounds that he was “antisemitic,” Waters wanted to set the record straight about the accusations, so he accused the city council of going against the right to free speech. The singer said that his lawyers were trying to get the city to change its mind because he wanted to perform at his canceled shows.

“Hey, Frankfurters, leave free speech alone,” Waters wrote. “My lawyers are taking steps to ensure that my concerts in Munich and Frankfurt in May 2023 take place as contracted. Human rights and freedom of speech for all peoples under German law must prevail, which is why I’m taking this stance to ensure the will of the few will not prevent me from performing in Frankfurt and Munich.”

“I am taking the unprecedented step of appealing to the law to protect me from the unconstitutional actions of two authorities which seem to rely upon the fundamentally false accusation that has been made against me, namely that I am antisemitic.”

He went on to say that he was never an antisemite and that his criticism of Israel was directed not at Israelis as a whole but at their government.

“I want to state for the record and once and for all that I am not and never have been antisemitic, and nothing that anyone can say or publish will alter that. My well-publicized views relate entirely to the policies and actions of the Israeli government and not with the people of Israel. Antisemitism is odious and racist, and I condemn it, along with all forms of racism, unreservedly.

I am not going to and do not need to keep making my position clear on this issue. I am confident that truth and the law will prevail and that these authorities will not succeed in denying any of my basic human rights.”

The German government is yet to address to reply with the musician’s plea.