Dear Mr. Waters,
I am convinced, after reading your open letter to me in The Independent, that you misunderstand our concerns about your concert production and, specifically, its use of the Star of David imagery followed by dollar signs in "Good Bye Blue Sky." I hope this open letter will clarify ADL's concerns and set the record straight.
First of all, let me be perfectly clear that I have never accused you or "The Wall Show" of anti-Semitism. I take you at your word that you had no intention of imparting an anti-Semitic message, either through the imagery projected on the wall, or through references to Israel's security fence.
We have carefully watched the video montage from your show and understand it as being an anti-war statement.
Our concern is, quite simply, the order of the imagery employed. When the Star of David is immediately followed with dollar signs, it creates linkage between Jews and money. Seeing the images in that order is shocking to many people, Jewish and non-Jewish, who are aware of and sensitive to the old stereotype of the money-grubbing Jew.
We, too, have heard from many of your fans who have attended the concerts in the States and were shocked by the decision to immediately follow the Star of David with dollar signs.
We would ask, out of sensitivity to those who might be offended, that you change the order of the symbols so that the dollar signs are made to appear elsewhere in the show. For us, it would put this matter entirely to rest.
That simple change would go a long way to allay our concerns, and those of concertgoers and others who believe that the current production seems to call up the old canard about greedy Jews and money.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Abraham H. Foxman
National Director
Anti-Defamation League
