Roger Waters’ Support Of Palestinian Violence As A ‘Moral Duty’
David Lange
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Remember this mural at Canada’s York University, first highlighted by Varda and then (inadvertently) repeated by me?
Recently, Jewish businessman Paul Bronfman pulled his support from the University because of it.
Now, guess which loud-mouthed BDSHole is putting his two cents in?
Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters has taken sides in a controversy at York University in Toronto, where businessman Paul Bronfman has demanded the removal of a painting that shows a Palestinian holding stones as he faces a bulldozer.
Waters addressed his letter to Bronfman, who pulled financial support from the university over the artwork, which he called “pure hate.”
Waters wrote that Bronfman is wrong to “use his economic muscle” to try and force removal of “Palestinian Roots,” which is displayed in the York University Student Centre, a building on campus that houses the York Federation of Students.
Waters writes that the Palestinian depicted in the artwork “has a legal and moral right, under the terms of article 4 of the Geneva conventions to resist the occupation of his homeland,” adding that protesting Israel’s policy is not anti-Semitic, and is in fact “a moral duty.”
“Happily York University students and faculty members seem to recognize that protest is ok, and that freedom of speech is a fundamental right and not for sale to the likes of you,” Waters writes.
Here is the full text of Waters’ letter.
Roger Waters
9th February 2016.
New York.
Re: the mural depicting a bulldozer and a protester that hangs on a staircase at York University. Paul Bronfman, who is trying to use his economic muscle to effect the removal of this painting should note the following.
1. The figure in the foreground appears to be a protester considering throwing a stone or stones at a bulldozer about to destroy an olive tree. The protester may be Palestinian. If the scene depicted is anywhere in the territories occupied since 1967, this person has a legal and moral right, under the terms of article 4 of the Geneva conventions to resist the occupation of his homeland.
2. There is absolutely no indication that this person is a “Terrorist”. What ever that means? As we all know the word “Terrorist” has become a noun devoid of meaning. If it’s us, the good guys, we’re just defending ourselves and anything goes, if it’s them, the bad guys, they are “Terrorists”. One could if one wished suggest the routine demolition of homes and olive trees is a “Terrorist” tactic.
3. Protesting the Israeli occupation is not “Anti Semitic” It is a moral duty. Happily York University students and faculty members seem to recognize that protest is ok, and that freedom of speech is a fundamental right and not for sale to the likes of you.
4. The painting in question contains in its text the words “Justice” and “Peace”. I have no doubt that if the Palestinian people were to attain “Justice” under the law, there would be “Peace” in the Holy land.
5. In your attack, I note the word “Hate”.
6. I applaud the student body and faculty of York University for standing up to your bullying tactics.
7. Opinion in the Jewish community in the USA, and especially among young Jewish people, is turning away from the “Hatred” and “Bigotry” of hardline entrenched positions like yours, towards the dialogue and understanding espoused by groups like “Jewish Voice For Peace.”
8. The Tide Is Turning.
Love,
Roger Waters
PS. Please pass my support on to the student body.
Let me be very clear about it.
The palestinian depicted in the artwork is holding a rock.
It is fact that these rocks can and do sometimes maim and kill.
Roger Waters is not just supporting this, but even has the chutzpah to claim that such violence is a moral duty.
Not only that, he tries to strip meaning from the word “terrorist”, and claims “if the Palestinian people were to attain “Justice” under the law, there would be “Peace” in the Holy land” – ignoring the reality that palestinian terror groups – and even BDSHoles – want the destruction of the Jewish state of Israel.
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David Lange
