British rock guitar legend Eric Clapton has provoked strong reactions with his outspoken views on the Middle East conflict. Clapton believes that "Israel rules the world" and performed on his recent tour with a guitar painted in the colors of the Palestinian flag.
Clapton was interviewed on May 22 by David Spuria, an American Youtuber who runs The Real Music Observer. During the interview, Clapton discussed the recent protests against Israel on American campuses and criticized the Senate hearings on "anti-Semitism" on campus.
– I was so enthused about what was going on at Columbia [University] and elsewhere. And then what I couldn’t believe, because it freaked me out, were the Senate hearings, which were like the Nuremberg trials.
Clapton also criticized the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), claiming it was behind the hearings. – Israel runs the show. Israel runs the world.
Guitar in the colors of Palestine
During his tour, Clapton has expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian people by playing a guitar painted in the colors of the Palestinian flag. Last year he also released the song "Voice of a Child," accompanied by a video showing the widespread destruction in Gaza.
Clapton also explained that his children have become involved in the situation because of "peer pressure."
– Two of my girls are in university, and it’s in their face, ‘Do you know what’s going on?’ So they’re active and I was so enthused by what was going on in Columbia and everywhere.
Supports Roger Waters
He also expressed his support for former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters.
Roger Waters has been outspoken in his support for Palestine and his opposition to Western support for the regime in Kiev, and has seen a number of concerts cancelled by promoters because of his views. Among other things, because of accusations of "anti-Semitism".
– I love Roger. I love him. We are brothers and he goes his way about it, and it takes a lot of guts, and he suffers from it terribly. I’ve seen him sit on the window ledge in tears and say 'It’s morning here in Manhattan and I’m in tears again', Eric Clapton said in support of Roger Waters.
Finally, Clapton questioned the West's support for Ukraine in its war with Russia and gave an unexpected endorsement to Russian President Vladimir Putin. – He always tells you what he intends to do, and he tells the truth. So he gives you plenty of warning.
