A Glasgow councillor has called for a show of solidarity with the city’s Jewish communities as Roger Waters prepares to play at the Hydro following antisemitisim claims.
German police have been investigating the former Pink Floyd star after he wore what was considered a Nazi-style uniform during a recent concert in Berlin.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has raised concerns with Glasgow City Council over his performances in Scotland.
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Mr Waters, 79, who has rejected accusations of antisemitism, is due to appear at the Hydro tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday), which is partly-owned by the council.
Glasgow Conservative group leader Thomas Kerr called on the council to signal its “strongest possible support” for the city's Jewish communities.
In a letter responding to the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the council’s chief executive, Annemarie O’Donnell, said Glasgow’s local authority “takes seriously its responsibility to help ensure that everyone in our city is equally able to live, work, visit or study without fear of being targeted due to an aspect of their identity.”
It stated the council would “not have any lawful way” to “take steps to stop Mr Waters performing at the Hydro.”
Councillors “unanimously adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism in 2019,” it added.
Mr Waters has also been criticised for floating an inflatable pig with a Star of David emblazoned on its side during performances.
Councillor Kerr said he was “proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish communities”.
He said he considered it "disgraceful" that Mr Waters appeared to wear a Nazi uniform at the gig in Germany.
He added: “It is understandable that Jewish people have real and serious concerns about him performing in Glasgow this weekend.
“It would be deeply disappointing if council leaders didn’t recognise the anger from Jewish people by showing solidarity with them ahead of these concerts taking place.”
In a statement on his Facebook page, Mr Waters said: “My recent performance in Berlin has attracted bad faith attacks from those who want to smear and silence me because they disagree with my political views and moral principles.
“The elements of my performance that have been questioned are quite clearly a statement in opposition to fascism, injustice and bigotry in all its forms. Attempts to portray those elements as something else are disingenuous and politically motivated.
“The depiction of an unhinged fascist demagogue has been a feature of my shows since Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ in 1980.”
The OVO Hydro has been approached for comment.
In October last year, the Scottish Event Campus was ordered to pay almost £100,000 in damages to a US preacher after cancelling an event following concerns about his controversial views on gay rights, Islam and Donald Trump.
It was ruled that axing a 2020 appearance by Franklin Graham, the son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, at the Hydro, after pressure from the council and religious groups, was a breach of the Equality Act.
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