Alan Parsons keeps Tel Aviv gig despite Waters’ boycott pleas

Alan Parsons will be playing Tel Aviv over the objections of fellow British musician Roger Waters, a BDS supporter.

The Alan Parsons Project is scheduled to perform Tuesday at Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv.

“Very happy to be in Tel Aviv!” Parsons tweeted Sunday.

Parsons is set to collaborate on an English-language album with popular Israeli rock musician Aviv Geffen.

Waters, formerly of Pink Floyd, shared on Facebook two pieces of correspondence he sent to Parsons, who worked as a sound engineer on the group’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album some 30 years ago.

Very happy to be in Tel Aviv! http://t.co/O8XrNSN5tA #alanparsons

— Alan Parsons (@alanparsons) February 8, 2015

“While I know you don’t want to disappoint your fans by canceling this gig, you would be sending a powerful message to them and the world by doing so,” Waters wrote.

In his second letter, Waters wrote, “I regret that you have decided, for now at least, to stand with the minority of artists and academics who support the policies of the current Israeli government.”

He added: “By ignoring the boycott, you are turning your back on a beleaguered people who are desperately in need of your support. Even at this late hour, please reconsider.”

Parsons responded late Monday night with a short note published on his Facebook profile thanking “all our Israeli fans in advance for their loyalty, support, and for attending our show in Tel Aviv.”

To Waters he wrote: “This is a political matter and I am simply an artist. I create music, that is my raison d’être. Everyone – no matter where they reside, what religion they follow, or what ideology they aspire to – deserves to hear it if they so choose. Music knows no borders, and neither do I.”

Waters was unsuccessful as well in trying to convince the Rolling Stones to cancel its June concert.