Pearl Jam Singer Eddie Vedder’s Onstage Anti-War Rant Angers Israel Supporters
At a recent Pearl Jam concert at the Milton Keyes National Bowl in England, frontman Eddie Vedder took to the mic to air his views on the conflict in the Middle East. During the song 'Daughter,' the singer let loose a profanity-filled tirade against war in general, but with comments that many claim refer to the Palestine/Israel conflict. You can watch the video above.
"So what the f---, what the f---," he said. "We can have this many people having a peaceful time, we can have modern technology, all this at our hands, but at the same time that something this positive is happening, the same f---ing time ... not even that far away, we're f---ing dropping bombs on each other."
After a couple guzzles of wine, he continued, "And I get it, if war is the last resort, and they're coming on your side, I get it, I get it, you don't want to be in that situation. But I swear to f---in' God, there are people out there that are looking for a reason to kill. They're looking for a reason to go across borders, and take over land that doesn't belong to them, and they should get the f--- out, mind their own f---ing business."
He then acknowledged that people are pretty much the same everywhere, wanting to "eat, work, love, procreate, create art" and so on, before demanding they "stop the f---ing s--- now. We don't want to give 'em our money, they don't get our taxes to drop bombs on children. Now! Stop war now!"
Vedder then led the band and audience in a chorus of Edwin Starr's 1970 hit 'War' before he dropped to his knees and begged for peace.
Even though the singer never mentioned Israel by name, to many fans it was clearly insinuated. And Israeli fans are having none of it, according to the Jerusalem Post, which called the rant an "anti-Israel diatribe."
“Eddie Vedder, your true face is finally being revealed,” wrote Israeli DJ Ben Red of 88FM. “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.”
Red had been campaigning to bring Pearl Jam to Israel for a concert. Neither Vedder nor the band has responded to the accusations.