Roger Waters, co-founder of the iconic rock band Pink Floyd, is embroiled in a legal battle after journalist John Ware filed a libel lawsuit against him. The case centers on remarks Waters made during a February 2024 episode of Al Jazeera’s program “The Stream,” where he labeled Ware a “pro-Zionist, pro-genocider” and accused him of “cheerleading the genocide of the Palestinian people” in Gaza.
These contentious comments were Waters’ response to Ware’s documentary, “The Dark Side Of Roger Waters,” produced for the Campaign Against Antisemitism. The film aimed to scrutinize allegations of antisemitism against Waters, featuring interviews with former colleagues who recounted instances of derogatory remarks about Jews. Notably, the documentary unveiled a 2010 email in which Waters suggested inscribing an inflatable pig, used as a concert prop, with an antisemitic slur.
During a preliminary hearing at the High Court in London, presided over by Mrs. Justice Eady, key issues were examined, including the interpretation of Waters’ statements and whether they constituted fact or opinion. Representing Ware, William Bennett KC argued that Waters’ allegations were unequivocally defamatory, highlighting Waters’ description of Ware as a “well-known, lying, conniving Zionist mouthpiece.” Bennett contended that opposing Waters’ political stance on Palestine does not equate to endorsing genocide.
In defense, Adam Wolanski KC, representing Waters, characterized the musician’s statements as “very trenchant” but emphasized that Waters’ critical views on Israel were already public knowledge. Wolanski suggested that Waters perceived Ware’s documentary, which labeled him antisemitic, as an attack on his political position regarding Palestine.
Jane Phillips, representing Al Jazeera, noted that Ware’s documentary did not shy away from strong criticism, and similarly, Waters’ response was forthright. She emphasized that viewers were promptly informed that the views expressed were Waters’ personal opinions.
This lawsuit adds to the growing list of controversies surrounding Waters. In May 2023, he faced backlash for donning a Nazi-style uniform during a Berlin concert, an act he defended as a statement against fascism. Additionally, in September 2023, a documentary accused him of making antisemitic remarks, including references to “Jew food” and proposing antisemitic slogans for his concert props.
Mrs. Justice Eady is expected to deliver a written judgment on the preliminary issues at a later date, which will determine the trajectory of this high-profile defam
ation case.
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