It was very long ago that we discussed Ed's opinions on gun rights and what that should mean to Pearl Jam fans. At Pearl Jam's show last week in Milton Keynes, Ed gave us more reason to discuss his politics.
“I swear to f---ing god, there are people out there who are looking for a reason to kill,” the famed American rocker said. “They’re looking for a reason to go across borders and take over land that doesn’t belong to them. They should get the f---out, and mind their own f---ing business.”Ed stops short of calling out Israel by name, but there is little doubt that Israel is the country he was referencing. Shortly thereafter, Ben Red, the Israeli disc jockey who helped to create the Bring Pearl Jam to Israel Campaign, spoke out against the rant and withdrew his invitation for Pearl Jam to come to Israel.
“We don’t want to give them our money. We don’t want to give them our taxes to drop bombs on children.”
“Eddie Vedder, your true face is finally being revealed,” Red wrote. “You are invited not to come here. I personally do not want to see you, and I will erase the Facebook page calling on bringing [Pearl Jam] to Israel, but not before I expose who you really are.”Is it possible to address this without wading too deep into politics? I think so. We are all huge Pearl Jam fans. With all due respect to Mr. Red, I don't think that he speaks for all Israelis? Can fans enjoy a Pearl Jam concert if they don't agree with Eddie Vedder? For decades now, Pearl Jam has been touring America, and they have yet to pull up on criticism of the U.S. government or Americans.
It hasn't always gone well ...
... but last I checked, Pearl Jam continues to sell our shows in the United States, and I've yet to be in a concert where someone didn't have a conservative opinion to scream at Ed when he spoke up politically.
So, those of you in Israel that were hoping for a Pearl Jam show, don't give up the dream b/c of a 30-second sound bite buried in a 3-hour show. A live Pearl Jam experience is worth some work.
