Investigation Launched Against Roger Waters for Nazi-Themed Performance

Former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters is under investigation after reportedly dressing as a Nazi and firing a fake machine gun during a performance in Berlin. German police are investigating Waters for incitement, according to the UK’s Jewish News. Waters is well known as a leader in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

Dressing Up as a Nazi

Context of Clothing Capable of Glorifying Nazi Regime

Waters is under investigation after he dressed as a Nazi at a concert in Berlin, where he also appeared to fire a fake machine gun at the audience. The uniform worn by Waters resembled SS garb, featuring a long black jacket, black gloves, a red armband and a symbolic gun. Germany has strict laws against incitement to racial hatred. The country is famed for its anti-Nazi stance as a reaction to its own Nazi past.

Police Investigating Waters for Suspected Incitement

Police in Germany are reportedly investigating Waters for suspected incitement. Martin Halweg, a police chief inspector in Berlin, told the UK’s Jewish News that “the context of the clothing worn is deemed capable of approving, glorifying or justifying the violent and arbitrary rule of the Nazi regime in a manner that violates the dignity of the victims and thereby disrupts public peace.”

Anti-Israel Sentiment

Waters Known Leader in BDS Movement Against Israel

Waters has long been a leader in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. The musician has sparked controversy by projecting the name of Anne Frank at his concerts, as a way to compare Israel to Nazi Germany. Waters has also put the Star of David on an inflatable pig during his recent shows.

Jewish Community Protesting Performance

Jewish communities are protesting against Waters’ upcoming concerts in Frankfurt, among other European cities. The community in Frankfurt has accused Waters of being “one of the most widely-spread anti-Semites in the world,” citing his negative references to Israel and the Jewish community at past concerts.

Condemnation from Governments and the Jewish Community

Frankfurt and Munich Attempt to Ban Waters’ Performances

The municipal governments of Frankfurt and Munich have attempted to ban Waters from performing in their cities, calling him out for previous criticism of Israel at his concerts. In response, Waters accused the “Israeli lobby” of manipulating attempts to cancel his shows, drawing criticism from Jewish communities and governments across Europe.

British Jews Condemn Waters’ “Vile” Comments

The Board of Deputies of British Jews has called out Waters’ “long history of vile comments relating to the Jewish community.” The political activist has faced criticism for his comments about “the Jewish lobby” and his past comparisons of Israel to Nazi Germany.

Fear of Damage to Community Cohesion

British lawmakers and Jewish groups have also expressed concern about Waters’ upcoming performances in the UK, citing his history of “dehumanizing Jewish people” and promoting anti-Semitism. Some fear that allowing Waters to perform risks damaging community cohesion and increasing hate crimes against Jewish people.

Investigation Underway

Berlin Police Begin Criminal Investigation

The State Security Department at the Berlin State Criminal Police Office has initiated a criminal investigation procedure regarding the suspicion of incitement of the people. Police will assess whether the Nazi-themed performance disrupted public peace or violated the dignity of the victims of the Nazi regime.

Warsaw Cancels Waters’ Concerts Due to Views on Ukraine Conflict

In 2022, the Polish city of Krakow cancelled two concerts by Roger Waters due to his negative comments about Poland’s role in the Ukraine conflict. The decision to cancel the concerts was made by the city council and mayor.

Conclusion

The investigation into Roger Waters’ Nazi-themed performance has caused outrage among Jewish communities and governments across Europe. Waters’ history of negative comments about Israel and the Jewish community has led many to believe that allowing him to perform risks damaging community cohesion and promoting anti-Semitism. The results of the investigation into Waters’ recent performance will determine whether the musician has been inciting hatred or promoting violent and arbitrary rule.

FAQs

What is the BDS movement?

The BDS movement is an international campaign that calls for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel. The movement aims to put pressure on Israel to end its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and to promote the rights of Palestinians.

What is Anne Frank’s connection to the controversy?

Waters has projected Anne Frank’s name at his concerts to draw comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany. Such comparisons are considered anti-Semitic under the widely-used IHRA definition of anti-Semitism.

What has the Board of Deputies of British Jews said about Waters’ comments?

The Board of Deputies of British Jews has condemned Waters’ “long history of vile comments relating to the Jewish community,” including his talk of “the Jewish lobby” and his comments about the responsibility of Jewish people for the actions of Israel.

Why are there concerns about community cohesion?

Some fear that allowing Waters to perform risks damaging community cohesion and increasing hate crimes against Jewish people. Waters’ history of promoting anti-Semitism has led many to believe that his comments and performances contribute to a negative and hateful environment.

What is the significance of Waters’ Nazi-themed performance?

Waters’ Nazi-themed performance has caused outrage among Jewish communities and governments alike. The performance has been deemed threatening, offensive and harmful, and is being investigated by German police as a potential incitement to racial hatred.

What is the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism?

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism includes references to negative stereotyping, demonizing or delegitimizing Israel or its people, and comparing contemporary Israeli policies to the policies of the Nazis.