The Simon Wiesenthal Center is calling on Citibank to withdraw its sponsorship of pro-BDS activist and musician Roger Waters’ tour in Mexico this week.
“In 2018, Jews in the Americas and Europe have to deal with surging and even deadly anti-Semitism,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the organization’s associate dean and head of global social action. “Against this backdrop it is inconceivable that a global corporate giant would be a financial enabler of a musician whose concerts’ trademark is a giant floating pig with a star of David and who daily demeans the largest Jewish community in the world: the Jewish State of Israel.”
“We expect Citibank to be responsive to our community’s justified concerns and fears,” he added. “At the minimum, Citibank should suspend all future sponsorship of this bigot.”
Earlier this month, SWC contacted sponsors of the former Pink Floyd member’s Latin America tour to follow the lead of American Express last month in withdrawing backing, addressed to Grupo Aval, Cencosud, Entel, Bac Credomatic and Citibanamex.
“We urge you to demonstrate your disgust for the abuse of music to spread bigotry across Latin America,” said Shimon Samuels and Ariel Gelblung, director for international relations and Latin American representative, respectively. “Withdraw your support and sponsorship of Roger Waters in order not be associated with financiers of hate and potential violence.”
Citibank was unavailable for immediate comment.
Earlier this month, Argentinian Jews protested Waters’ Latin America tour.
Along with SWC, the Argentina Zionist Organization joined the calls and labeled Waters “one of the great anti-Semites of our time” in an online campaign.
Source:https://www.jns.org/feed/
