Admin l Friday, March 17, 2023
MUNICH – Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters is taking legal action against official cancellations of his concerts in Munich and Frankfurt, defending himself against accusations of anti-Semitism.
“My lawyers are taking steps to ensure that my concerts in Munich and Frankfurt in May 2023 take place as contractually agreed,” the musician said, according to a statement from his management.
The 79-year-old said he was taking this step to protect himself from “the unconstitutional actions of two authorities.” Waters denied that he was anti-Semitic.
On Tuesday, Munich’s city council will discuss a possible cancellation of the contract for the concert scheduled for May 21, and has asked the government of Upper Bavaria for a legal review.
A concert scheduled to take place in Frankfurt is also to be cancelled.
Critics accuse Waters of supporting the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) campaign, which calls for a boycott of the state of Israel and its goods because of its policy regarding the Palestinian territories.
Waters also released balloons in the shape of a pig with a Star of David at concerts. According to the Munich Centre for Democracy, Waters is said to have justified the war in Ukraine by saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to fight fascism in the country.
“My commonly held views relate exclusively to the policies and actions of the Israeli government and not to the people of Israel,” Waters continued. “Anti-Semitism is abhorrent and racist, and I condemn it as unreservedly as I condemn all forms of racism.”
The musician stressed that he felt his freedom of expression was restricted. “That is why I am taking this step to ensure that the will of a few does not prevent me from performing in Frankfurt and Munich.”
