Disturbed frontman David Draiman recently stirred controversy with his explicit and impassioned remarks directed at Roger Waters, as well as a spirited rendition of the Israeli national anthem, “Hatikvah,” during a performance in Tel Aviv. Draiman, who has Jewish heritage, expressed his disdain for Waters and his involvement in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which has faced accusations of antisemitism.
A Blunt Rebuke: Draiman’s Verbal Assault
During Disturbed’s performance at Expo Tel Aviv on June 28, David Draiman seized the moment to denounce Roger Waters, using explicit language to express his vehement disapproval:
“Fuck Roger Waters and all the rest of his fucking BDS Nazi assholes, every last fucking one of them. We don’t need that shit. We’ve survived worse than them and we’ll continue surviving worse than them.”
Draiman’s condemnation was met with a chorus of cheers from the audience as they joined him in singing “Hatikvah” while the Jewish flag proudly fluttered on the screen behind him. His impassioned response highlighted his personal connection to the Israeli anthem and his determination to stand against what he perceives as antisemitism.
TEL AVIV – David Draiman's Explosive Message to Roger Waters Sends Shockwaves Through the Music World! 💣💥#Israel pic.twitter.com/aYRi7j96aT
— SaveManMedia (@SaveManMedia) June 28, 2023
A History of Condemnation: Draiman vs. Waters
This is not the first time David Draiman has publicly criticized Roger Waters. In 2013, Draiman condemned Waters for displaying a Star of David on an inflatable pig during a performance of The Wall. He accused Waters of promoting hatred and perpetuating stereotypes that inaccurately depict Jewish people as greedy and tyrannical.
Waters’ recent controversies include donning a Nazi-like costume during a concert in Berlin, which sparked an investigation by German police. The Pink Floyd co-founder has faced accusations of employing antisemitic tropes in his shows and minimizing the Holocaust. These allegations have even garnered criticism from the U.S. State Department, which condemned Waters’ performance for deeply offending Jewish people.
Clashing Perspectives: Waters’ Defense
Roger Waters has consistently denied accusations of antisemitism and maintains that his performances aim to oppose fascism, injustice, and bigotry. He argues that his depictions of unhinged fascist demagogues have been present in his shows since Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” in 1980. Waters asserts that his critics are misrepresenting his intentions and that their attacks are politically motivated.
In a recent interview with Double Down News, Waters claimed to be a victim of cancel culture and urged viewers to dismiss mainstream media accounts, labeling them as “fake news.” He insists that his shows convey opposition to authoritarianism and oppression, reflecting his lifelong commitment to speaking out against such injustices.