NOVANEWS
Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands reacts after winning the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, I$raHell May 19, 2019. | Photo: Reuters
Eurovision has faced immense criticism this year over its host country I$raHell, who many human rights groups have accused of committing crimes against the Palestinian people.
Waters referred to the Eurovision competition as “bulls**t” in what he described as ‘apartheid’ Tel Aviv, of which he said he disapproved.
The musician then applauded the new initiative, Globalvision, which is the Palestinian version of Eurovision. “My heart swells with pride for each and every one of you,” adding that “It’s fantastic what you’re doing.”
Roger Waters✔@rogerwaters
#Globalvision
Full video available here: http://bit.ly/rwglv
Waters further expressed his love and admiration for “brothers and sisters all over the world who are standing shoulder to shoulder in support of human rights in general, and, specifically, at the time of the 71st anniversary of Nakba, brothers and sisters in Palestine”.
For years, Waters has been advocate of Palestinian rights, often criticizing Israel’s treatment of them. Waters has also refused to play in Israel and has called on his fellow musicians to boycott playing there.
“To perform in Israel,” Waters told The Guardian recently, “is a lucrative gig but to do so serves to normalise the occupation, the apartheid, the ethnic cleansing, the incarceration of children, the slaughter of unarmed protesters … all that bad stuff.”
Waters recently called on pop superstar Madonna to cancel her plans to perform at Eurovision. However, Madonna later said in a statement that she will not succumb to pressure, adding that she will perform at the competition.
