Before their concert in Munich, the Spanish band were prevented by the police from performing “Intifada”, a song about the occupation of Palestine by the State of Israel.
Roger Waters is not the only artist accused by the German authorities of anti-Semitism, because two days ago the Munich police prevented Ska-P from playing his song “Uprising” at his last concert in the city. Theme taken from LP Spread the word!! (2002) and deals with the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Days ahead of its premiere at the 2023 Tollywood Summer Festival, Spanish group She referred to “gossip”, which she accuses of being anti-Semitic. The musicians had to make it clear that from their atheism they respect believers, not religions, and emphasized their anti-fascist stance. “Our song ‘The Intifada’ is a condemnation of the State of Israel’s occupation of the people of Palestine, settlement, and land theft (…). Being anti-Zionist is not anti-Semitism.”
However, once in the German town and moments before the concert is to take place, two local police officers warn the band that if they play the song, they will end the event and its members, technical staff and organizers will be arrested. Ska-P warned that this is the first time since its inception in 1994 that something like this has happened, which is why it shared the statement it read to its fans on the day of the show on its networks.
The text reads: “We are stunned by this serious accusation because we have always defended oppressed peoples, including the Jewish community which has always been persecuted throughout history.” “The far-right seriously threatens Europe, including Germany, and they are anti-Semites among many other horrific things. Now they will be rubbing their hands watching how we are censored today.
The group reaffirmed that its support for the liberation of Palestine will remain until “Israel returns its lands and accepts the establishment of a Palestinian state.” The post was accompanied by a video clip in which trumpeter Alberto “Chiquitine” Iriondo waves the Palestinian flag while the festival crowd chants carols in support of the state.
Earlier this year, the Frankfurt government canceled Roger Waters’ concert after accusing him of being “one of the world’s most popular anti-Semites” and carrying out a “cultural boycott of Israel”. Personalities like Nick Mason, Tom Morello, Noam Chomsky, and Susan Sarandon have signed a petition so that the musician can perform under the protection of free speech. Months later, the presentation can is done normally.
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