The Pink Floyd rocker is accused of being anti-semitic after suggesting billionaire Sheldon Adelson pulled the strings of President Donald Trump and his administration.
- Jun 24, 2020
AceShowbiz - Former Pink Floyd rocker Roger Waters has been accused of antisemitism after claiming a Jewish billionaire is a "puppet-master" behind U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a video interview posted on Saturday, June 20, 2020, the British musician told the Shehab News Agency right-wing U.S. businessman Sheldon Adelson was a "puppet master" who is "pulling the strings of Donald Trump" and other U.S. officials.
Waters, also claimed Adelson believes "only Jewish people, are completely human" and linked the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota to techniques taught to U.S. police by "Israeli experts" as well as saying Zionism is "an ugly stain" that needs to be "gently removed."
Condemning Waters' words, Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of Jewish advocacy group the Anti-Defamation League, told WENN the 76-year-old rocker had "invoked blatantly antisemitic tropes" during the interview with Shehab, a TV station affiliated with the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas. He continued, "Waters' comments mirror a number of classic and vile antisemitic stereotypes -- including claiming Sheldon Adelson is a 'puppet master' who controls the US government, as well as referring Zionism to as an ugly stain to be removed."
"It's highly unfortunate to see an individual whose early life was marked by important contributions to the world of music continue to devolve into a discredited propagator of antisemitism and anti-Zionism."
In his own statement, Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, called Waters a "bigot" and a "vicious antisemite" and called on businesses to cut ties with him over his views.
The "Money" hitmaker's views on Israel have caused controversy in the past, with American Express reportedly pulling sponsorship from a North American tour due to his "anti-Israel" rhetoric. He has also clashed with Radiohead, Nick Cave, and Madonna over their decision to perform in Israel.
A representative for Waters did not respond to a request for comment.
