Roger Waters has blasted Thom Yorke for “whining”

Roger Waters has blasted Thom Yorke for “whining” over criticism of Radiohead’s Tel Aviv concert.

The ‘Creep’ hitmakers are going ahead with their planned performance in Israel on July 19, which has infuriated the Pink Floyd legend, who has signed the petition urging them to cancel the gig, and has accused the 48-year-old singer of ignoring the chance to debate the topic with himself and filmmaker Ken Loach. 

According to Rolling Stone magazine, Waters said: “We should observe the picket line. Anybody who’s tempted to do that, like our friends in Radiohead, if only they would actually educate themselves.

“I know Thom Yorke’s been whining about how he feels insulted; people are suggesting he doesn’t know what’s going on. Well Thom, you shouldn’t feel insulted because if you did know what’s going on, you would have a conversation with [director] Ken Loach, who’s been begging you to have a conversation, or with me, I begged you, Thom.”

The 73-year-old star has claimed Yorke has been ignoring emails sent to him from himself and musician Brian Eno.

The pair are among 48 people to sign the letter with Artists for Palestine UK in the hope the alternative rock band will reconsider the concert and join the on-going cultural boycott by not going ahead with the show in a country "where a system of apartheid has been imposed on the Palestine people".

The ‘Another Brick in the Wall’ hitmaker continued: “I sent you a number of emails, begging you to have a conversation. As did Brian Eno; you ignored us all, you won’t speak to anyone about anything. So it’s that kind of isolationism that is extremely unhelpful to everybody.”

However, not everyone is against Radiohead performing, former R.E.M singer Michael Stipe fully backs Radiohead’s decision to continue with the gig despite the backlash.

Over the weekend, the 57-year-old rocker took to Instagram to show his support.

He wrote: “I stand with Radiohead and their decision to perform. Let's hope a dialogue continues, helping to bring the occupation to an end and lead to a peaceful solution. Sincerely, Michael Stipe. (sic)”

Yorke recently defended their plans, insisting people who hate President Donald Trump still play in the US.

He was responding to director Loach after he tweeted urging them not to support the oppression of Palestinians.  

Loach posted on Twitter: "Radiohead need to decide if they stand with the oppressed or the oppressor. The choice is simple. @thomyorke (sic)"

The 'Paranoid Android' songwriter insists that they are in no way backing the country's leader Benjamin Netanyahu by holding a concert there.

He fired back on Twitter: "Playing in a country isn't the same as endorsing its government. We've played in Israel for over 20 years through a succession of governments, some more liberal than others.

"As we have in America. We do not endorse Netanyahu any more than Trump, but we still play in America. Music, art and academia is about crossing boarders not building them, about open minds not closed ones, about shared humanity, dialogue, and freedom of expression. I hope that makes it clear Ken. (sic)"

This article was first published on BANG Showbiz and is republished here with permission.