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Rock star: No one cares about Waters

ROCK star Steven Wilson wants to meet anti-Israel musicians such as Roger Waters, Annie Lennox and Brian Eno to "hear their side of the argument".

The guitarist and in-demand producer, who performs in the Israeli town of Binyamina tomorrow, refers to Tel Aviv as his second home.

He told David Brinn, of the Jerusalem Post: "Whenever I talk to people about my love of Israel and the fact that I was living there for a while, they always raise their eyebrows and go 'why Israel?'

"Most people have this idea that not only is there a war going on there, but that it's full of religious people. And in reality, it's one of the least religious countries on the planet.

"Israel is a very open-minded place, but it's also the Holy Land, and people always make that association. Israel is seen as a hotbed of religion and living in Tel Aviv, it was definitely not the impression that I got."

He added: "I've never had a one-on-one confrontation with one of those artists who boycotts Israel, but I would like to.

"It would be interesting. I would really be curious to hear their side of the argument.

"I think part of it must stem from their own inflated opinions of their own impact on the world. Because really, who gives a s*** if Annie Lenox or Brian Eno boycotts Israel?

"The politicians don't and the population at large doesn't - that's another sign that the influence of pop music is dissipated. People don't have the kind of influence they used to. Nobody really cares if Roger Waters boycotts Israel."

Wilson, founder of prog rock giants Porcupine Tree, also performs in Blackfield with Israel singer Aviv Geffen.

He said: "Aviv's working on a new Blackfield album now. He sends through material to me and I give my comments.

"Sometimes there's nothing I can add, and I say 'this is great as it is'.

"I'm on the periphery of Blackfield now, which I love. When you have a day job being a control freak - with production, T-shirts, websites, interviews - it's nice sometimes to just be the guitar player.

"That contradicts what I just said about being the centre of attention, but with Aviv, I'm happy to do it that way, to step back and let him have the attention."

Wilson, 49, is being supported at the Zappa Shuni Amphitheater by Israeli Ninet.


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