Roger Waters, co-founder of the iconic rock band Pink Floyd, is facing a libel lawsuit in the UK’s High Court over remarks he made about journalist John Ware. The legal action centers on comments Waters delivered during an episode of Al Jazeera’s program “The Stream,” where he labeled Ware as “cheerleading the genocide of the Palestinian people” and described him as a “pro-Zionist, pro-genocider.”
These statements were a reaction to Ware’s documentary, “The Dark Side Of Roger Waters,” produced for the Campaign Against Antisemitism. The film aimed to “examine the evidence for the charge that Roger Waters is an antisemite.”
During a preliminary hearing, William Bennett KC, representing Ware, argued that Waters’ allegations were “utterly emphatic,” highlighting that Waters referred to Ware as a “well-known, lying, conniving Zionist mouthpiece.” Bennett contended that opposing Waters’ political views on Palestine does not equate to “cheerleading for genocide.”
The court was informed that the initial broadcast of the contentious episode aired on February 15 and 16, with a subsequent version on February 17. While the “cheerleading” remark was omitted from the later version, the “pro-genocider” comment remained. Both versions were available on Al Jazeera’s YouTube channel until their removal on May 1.
Adam Wolanski KC, representing Waters, defended the musician’s statements as “very trenchant” but emphasized that Waters’ views on Israel were already well-known. He suggested that the program portrayed Waters as a “controversialist” and that his remarks were a response to being labeled antisemitic due to his political stance on Palestine.
Jane Phillips, representing Al Jazeera, noted that Ware’s documentary did not “pull its punches,” and similarly, Waters’ response was forthright. She emphasized that viewers were “immediately told that these are Mr. Waters’ strong opinions.”
Mrs. Justice Eady has reserved judgment on the preliminary issues, including the natural and ordinary meanings of Waters’ statements and whether they constitute fact or opinion. A written judgment will be issued at a later date.
This lawsuit adds to the ongoing controversies surrounding Waters, who has faced multiple allegations of antisemitism in recent years. Notably, a 2023 documentary by the Campaign Against Antisemitism featured interviews with former colleagues accusing him of making derogatory remarks about Jews. Additionally, emails from 2010 revealed Waters suggesting antisemitic slogans for stage props during his concerts.
Waters has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that his performances and statements are expressions against fascism, injustice, and bigotry
in all forms.
Be the first to comment