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Responding to Palestinian criticism over the choice of venue for his upcoming Israel concert,
former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters has announced that the location
of the concert on June 22nd has moved from Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv,
to the grounds of Latrun Monastery, in Neve Shalom.
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| Latrun Monastery |
Neve Shalom is on the road
between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and is a village of Israeli-Palestinian
co-existence. It will be the first concert to be held in the village.
Roger stated that he decided to move the show, in order to show
solidarity with the voices of reason of Israelis and Palestinians
seeking a non-violent way for a just peace between the two peoples.
Roger has been an outspoken
critic of the massive wall that crosses Israel's West Bank, and
commented that whilst he remains firm in his opposition to the barrier,
he will not penalise Israeli fans with a boycott of the area.
Ticket sales for the concert in
its original location have been very strong, with a reported 35,000
having been sold. Refunds have been offered to those who do not wish to
see the show in the new location, and special buses and trains will be
laid on from Tel Aviv for those who need them.
In the press release for the
revised concert plans, Roger also quoted a new poem (or indeed, maybe
song lyrics) that he felt appropriate for the occasion. "A few weeks
ago I watched again Martin Scorsese's film which documented the last
concert by The Band and I was inspired to write a few words I see
fitting:
The Last Waltz
I just want that thing
When voices join in harmony
And in that fleeting moment,
Meaning coalesces on the ear,
All dark, dissolving, clouds the alleyways no more
And fresh bread scent of home pervades the air
No sandal soles
In dust of broken homes
Nor callused toes peep bloody from the garment hem,
And all the big parades
And shock and awe
And swagger on the carrier decks and medals
Jangle helpless in the face of what is fair
I just want that thing
When friends draw in, some living some begone,
Some brittle, none forgotten
All beloved everyone.
Then dash the glass into the fire
Then well up unashamed my heart
Beyond the reach of fear
Of faith, blind, bigoted and drear
And then across the great divide
Rise men and women unafraid
To dash in loss their bracelets at the wall,
And hearing them
Hope holds me in its thrall.
I just want that thing
When empathy prevails
When man evolves beyond the crass
And reason comes of age
When dogma, cant, and witchcraft
All are banished to the past
When voices join in harmony at last.
© Roger Waters Music Ltd.
Our thanks to Uri Breitman, Martin, Roy Gilgun and Yoni for their help in bringing you this information.
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