“It is important to disseminate the anti-discrimination law and the definition of anti-Semitism adopted by Argentina with the purpose of contributing to the fight against it in all its forms, collaborating in the construction of a culture of prevention of hostility and violence to which the prejudices and intolerance, promote education for plurality and reinforce the task of guaranteeing compliance with the objective of education, memory and research of the Holocaust and its lessons for us and future generations,” declared the auditor of the INADI, Greta Penain a meeting with journalists, justice personnel and academics.
He National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism (INADI) and the Delegation of Argentine Israeli Associations (DAIA) They organized a meeting this Tuesday in which they reflected “on the construction of a culture of prevention of hostility and violence.” The purpose of the event was to accompany the claim of some sectors of the Jewish community about what they classified as ““antisemitic hate speech” from the singer Roger Waterswho is scheduled to offer recitals on November 21 and 22 in Argentina.
In May of this year, the former musician from pink floyd performed a recital in Germany, where he wore a black uniform similar to that of the Waffen-SS, along with a group of dancers dressed as soldiers. In the presentation held in Berlinthe singer pointed a replica of a rifle and during the show an inflatable flying pig was observed with different symbols, including the star of David. At another point in the show, names like that of Anne Frank on a gigantic screen on the stage.
The act received immediate repudiation from the State of Israelhe Simon Wiesenthal Center for Latin America and the organization Stop Antisemitism, among other entities. Confirmation of the recital in the River Plate stadium by Waters put local Jewish entities on alert. This motivated the intervention of INADI, warning that it does not advocate prior censorship, but rather dialogue, awareness and information. The head of the institution pointed out: “INADI accompanies DAIA to raise awareness and prevent all forms of anti-Semitism. We are attentive. “We are going to continue from here until the recital accompanying.”
“My recent performance in Berlin has attracted bad faith attacks from those who want to defame and silence me because they do not agree with my political views and moral principles, I have spent my entire life speaking out against authoritarianism and oppression. wherever I see them,” the British artist declared, adding: “The elements of my performance that have been questioned are clearly a statement in opposition to fascism, injustice and intolerance in all their forms. The depiction of a deranged fascist demagogue has been a feature of my shows since “The Wall” of pink floyd in 1980″.
The president of the DAIA, Jorge Knoblovitswarned: “Roger Waters Know that you don’t have to do this in Argentina. I also hope that if he does so he will be punished. Not only by the prosecutor’s office that will act ex officio, but by the public, the press and the entire Argentine Republic.” Jewish community ranks first in statistics for complaints of discrimination, along with the members of the different indigenous peoples of the country. According to the TELAM news portal, between January and July 2023, INADI registered 16 complaints of anti-Semitic discrimination, representing the 1.31 percent of the total complaints received. Since 2002, Argentina is the only full member of Latin America that integrates the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
However, the controversial aesthetic created by Waters for his live performances has been around for more than 40 years. It is part of the iconography created by the musician and the illustrator Gerald Scarfe for the launch of “The Wall”, one of the most recognized concept albums in rock history. The musical story immerses the viewer in the life of Pinka fictional rock star who increasingly withdraws into himself as a result of his traumas and the inhumanity of the system and society.
The disc “The Wall” (1980), along with its images alluding to different forms of oppression, was brought to the big screen three years later by the English director Alan Parker. The film of the same name, starring the Irish musician Bob Geldofformer band leader new wave Boomtown Rats and creator of Live Aid, defined Waters’ live performances of the album ever since. One of the most memorable concerts was also held in Berlin, in 1990, on the occasion of the fall of the wall that divided the city within the framework of the Cold War.
In the controversial show, held this year in the German capital, on the stage of the Mercedes-Benz Arena, inscriptions were projected in red letters with the names of Anne Frank and of Shireen Abu Aklehthe Palestinian-American journalist of the channel Al Jazeera killed during an operation Israeli security forces in May 2022. Open support for the cause Palestine, in the conflict with Israel, is an emblematic signature of the octogenarian composer of classics such as “Another Brick in the Wall”, “Money” and “Shine on You Crazy Diamond”. A position that the Israeli government condemned on several occasions.
In Argentina, the panorama of the stage presentation of the former Pink Floyd has already given rise to talk. At the time, tickets to see Waters in the country were around 23,000 to 70,000 pesos. But the British singer’s farewell tour, which will arrive in Buenos Aires in November, is sold out, so the organization could consider adding a new show as has happened on other occasions. For now, there is no confirmation that this happens and many are skeptical about it.
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