Former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters has made an emotional appeal to Robbie Williams asking him to rethink his plans to play a gig in Tel Aviv this Saturday.
In a long and strongly-worded letter, which has been published on salon.com, Waters says that Williams' decision to play the show gives “succor to Netanyahu and his regime, and endorses their deadly racist policies."
He also questions Williams' role as UNICEF's UK ambassador and a "declared supporter of its Children in Danger campaign".
Rogers quotes a recent statement from London Palestine Action which reads: “We hope UNICEF will remain steadfast in defence of children’s rights, including Palestinian children, and ask Robbie Williams to either cancel his Tel Aviv show or, step down as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador . . . ”
In his letter, Waters writes: "To declare my own history, I confess I myself played a gig in Israel in 2006 before I knew any better. At that time and afterward, moved as I was.
"I listened to voices from all sides and made it my business to learn as much as I could about the situation in Israel and Palestine.
"I travelled widely in Israel and the West Bank and now nine years later having done my research, I have come to the conclusion that BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) is the most viable, peaceful way to end the suffering of, and forge a better future for, all the people of the Holy Land.
"I encourage you, Robbie, and all other artists, not to play in Israel until Israel complies with international law and recognizes the basic human rights of all the people of the region, including the Palestinian people, which, Robbie, includes Palestinian children playing soccer."
Williams has not yet responded to Waters' letter.
You can read Roger Waters' full letter to Robbie Williams here.
