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CDU politician Chialo: "Solidarity with all those who reject an appearance by Roger Waters in Berlin"

Photo: Philipp Znidar / picture alliance / dpa

Before Roger Waters' Berlin concerts, Berlin's Senator for Culture Joe Chialo criticized the British musician's performances as anti-Semitic. "A valuable commodity such as freedom of expression and artistic freedom must never be misused as a carte blanche for anti-Semitism," the CDU politician told the dpa news agency. In this matter, he said, "all Berliners must stand together."

Pink Floyd co-founder Waters is currently on the road with his »This Is Not A Drill« tour. After performances in Hamburg and Cologne, concerts are planned for this Wednesday and Thursday in Berlin. The private operator of the venue has once again confirmed to dpa that it wants to stick to the contract with the organizer.

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the appearance of an artist like Roger Waters, who launches balloons in the shape of pigs with Stars of David," Chialo said. "Because these actions – just like the BDS campaign to which he is close – are nothing short of anti-Semitic." BDS stands for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. The campaign calls for a comprehensive boycott of the State of Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians. At Waters' previous concerts in Germany, the pig was still there – but without the Star of David.

More on the subject

  • Controversial rock star Roger Waters: Like the uncle who spreads conspiracy myths at family celebrationsBy Thies Schnack and Florian Pütz

  • Israel controversy over Roger Waters: "I'm not an anti-Semite"A SPIEGEL interview by Arno Frank

"Criticism of the policies of the State of Israel can be legitimate," Chialo said. "BDS, with its call for a blanket boycott of Israeli artists and scientists, is not. For these reasons, I stand in solidarity with all those who refuse to allow Roger Waters to perform in Berlin.«

According to Chialo, the cultural administration wants to introduce a democracy clause in funding notices "to prevent anti-Semitic events in the cultural sector and to deprive actors of the BDS movement of public funds". Chialo described last year's documenta fifteen in Kassel as a "cautionary tale." Some of the works on display had been criticized as anti-Semitic. "Fighting anti-Semitism and protecting artistic freedom is not a contradiction," Chialo said.

A democracy clause as a condition for state funding was introduced by CDU politician Kristina Schröder during her term of office as Federal Minister for Family Affairs. In 2014, the clause, which applied to projects against right-wing extremism, was overturned by Schroeder's successor Manuela Schwesig (SPD) in consultation with CDU Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière.

Demonstration planned in Munich

Before the Waters concert on Sunday in Munich, critics want to demonstrate against the performance of the musician. According to the district administration department (KVR), the alliance "Munich is colorful!" is planning a protest action with up to 200 participants "against any anti-Semitism".

The city of Munich had even considered options to ban the 79-year-old's concert this Sunday in the Olympic Hall. However, for legal reasons, it is not possible to terminate the contract with the concert promoter extraordinarily, according to a city council resolution.

The president of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, Charlotte Knobloch, had described the organization of the concert as a "slap in the face for the Jewish community and for all those who are committed to respectful and tolerant coexistence". Many in the Jewish community were now wondering "whether the law places greater emphasis on protection against anti-Semitism than protection against anti-Semitism."

In Frankfurt am Main, the city and the state of Hesse wanted to prevent the singer's performance due to accusations of anti-Semitism – his concert on May 28 was to be cancelled. Waters, who rejects accusations of anti-Semitism, had filed a lawsuit against the decision and won the case. At the start of his German tour in Hamburg at the beginning of May, he was cheered by the audience.

feb/dpa