Best known as singer and songwriter for Pink Floyd until his fractious split with the other members of the band, Roger Waters has become a somewhat controversial figure in rock for his stance on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Waters, in fact, called for a creative boycott in 2013, encouraging other artists to not perform in Israel. That led him to target Bon Jovi in 2015, when the band announced plans for a concert in Tel Aviv. Interviewed by Israeli publication “Yediot Aharonot,” Jon Bon Jovi expressed his thrill at playing in Israel for the first time, and confirmed he was aware of Waters’ boycott. “Yes, I heard about that but it doesn’t interest me,” Bon Jovi said, as reported by Israel21c. “I told my managers to give one simple answer: That I’m coming to Israel and I’m excited to come.”
That prompted Waters to write an open letter to Bon Jovi, which was published by Salon. “So the die is cast, you are determined to proceed with your gig in Tel Aviv … You are making your stand,” Waters wrote, accusing Bon Jovi of supporting atrocities committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. “To stand by silent and indifferent is the greatest crime of all,” his letter concluded.
Bon Jovi responded onstage in Tel Aviv, as reported The Jerusalem Post, when he introduced “We Don’t Run” by suggesting it “should be the fight song for Tel Aviv.”
