In the letter, the signatories wrote: “We believe that artists, given their massive influence in the world today, have a unique and important responsibility to speak out against bigotry.
“Waters has repeatedly shown that he’s determined to do the opposite – and would instead use his voice, his platform, and his public microphone to fan the flames of hatred.”
The letter was signed by the Community Security Trust, American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, B’nai B’rith International, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs in Canada, the Conference of European Rabbis and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
Waters spoke of being “fired” by BMG in a video interview with Glenn Greenwald in November, during a conversation in which the musician blamed his parting from the company as the result of pressure by pro-Israeli interests toward BMG’s parent company, Bertelsmann, and suppression of his political beliefs.
Waters signed a publishing deal in 2016 with BMG, which was due to release a version of the 1973 album Dark Side of the Moon last year, before the deal was ended by their new CEO Thomas Coesfeld.
Last year Waters claimed that Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine was “not unprovoked”, when he talked the United Nations Security Council.
