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Roger Waters attacks Scarlett Johansson over quitting Oxfam

February 5, 2014 10:13
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ByRosa Doherty, Rosa Doherty

1 min read

Roger Waters has written an open letter to Scarlett Johansson accusing her of "undeniably not paying attention" to Palestinian rights.

The former Pink Floyd singer criticised the actress over her decision to promote Israeli company SodaStream instead of continuing her work with the charity Oxfam.

He said: "Scarlett, you are undeniably cute, but if you think SodaStream is building bridges towards peace you are also undeniably not paying attention."

In the extended post on Facebook, Mr Waters said he had written privately to Ms Johansson twice over the issue but had been ignored.

He said he remembered meeting her at a Cream reunion concert and was initially impressed by her commitment to human rights.

"I confess I was somewhat smitten," he wrote, but quickly expressed his disappointment by saying "there's no fool like an old fool".

Ms Johansson stepped down as an Oxfam ambassador following a row over her endorsement of the Israeli drinks company SodaStream.

Oxfam had objected to Ms Johansson’s involvement with the firm over what the charity regards as an illegal factory in the West Bank.

But Ms Johansson said she and the charity had a "fundamental difference of opinion" over the company's base in Mishor Adumim, next to the Ma'ale Adumim settlement.

She stepped down as their ambassador saying: “I remain a supporter of economic co-operation and social interaction between a democratic Israel and Palestine.

“SodaStream is not only committed to the environment but to building a bridge to peace between Israel and Palestine, supporting neighbours working alongside each other, receiving equal pay, equal benefits and equal rights.”