Roger Waters in Middle East controversy

<snip>

"Roger Waters is accused by some of not being a friend of Israel, but now he's in hot water for playing there. The former Pink Floyd bassist will perform in Tel Aviv on June 22nd, and some Palestinian artists want him to cancel to protest the security wall and fence that Israel is building. Sliman Mansour of the Palestinian Association For Contemporary Art told Reuters, "How can someone who wants to look like a leftist in the world - fighting against the Berlin Wall, for open borders, and for love between people - come to Israel while they are still building their wall and hold a musical event?" Waters told the British newspaper The Guardian, "I would not rule out going to Israel because I disapprove of the foreign policy any more than I would refuse to play in the UK because I disapprove of (Prime Minister) Tony Blair's foreign policy."

Waters has publicly criticized Israel for building the series of fences, walls, and barricades along its border with the Palestinian territories. Israel says it is only protecting itself and its citizens, but opponents call it a way for the Palestinians to be kept down.

The singer/bassist plans to play the complete Dark Side Of The Moon album in Tel Aviv, as he's doing at other stops this year."

http://www.therockradio.com/2006/03/roger-waters-in-middle-east.html

<snip>

"Roger Waters, cofounder of Pink Floyd, has decided to relocate his Tel Aviv performance this summer in an expression of support for coexistence in Israel.

The concert was set to take place at Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv on June 22, and has been moved to Neveh Shalom, a Jewish-Arab town next to Latrun.

Waters has expressed his opposition to the separation fence, but was subject to heavy criticism by Palestinians after he announced he was to perform in Israel.

Following conversations with spiritual leaders and Palestinian and Israel activists, Waters announced that the show would be moved to show solidarity with Israeli and Palestinian 'voices of reason' that are pursuing a nonviolent path to peace."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/706331.html