“Roger Waters Faces Libel Lawsuit Over ‘Cheerleader for Genocide’ Remark Against Reporter”

Roger Waters, the co-founder of Pink Floyd, is facing a libel lawsuit brought by journalist John Ware over remarks made on The Stream, an Al Jazeera program. During the broadcast in February 2024, Waters accused Ware of “cheerleading the genocide of the Palestinian people” and referred to him as a “pro-Zionist, pro-genocider.” These statements were in response to Ware’s documentary, The Dark Side of Roger Waters, which explored allegations of antisemitism against the musician.

The lawsuit is being heard in the High Court in London, where key issues such as the interpretation of Waters’ remarks and whether they were statements of fact or opinion are being debated. Representing Ware, William Bennett KC argued that Waters’ comments were unequivocally defamatory, calling them “utterly emphatic” and highlighting previous statements by Waters labeling Ware a “lying, conniving Zionist mouthpiece.” He emphasized that opposing Waters’ views on Palestine does not equate to endorsing genocide.

On the other hand, Waters’ legal team, led by Adam Wolanski KC, defended his remarks as part of a broader political discourse. Wolanski contended that Waters is known for his controversial views on Israel and that viewers of the program would have understood his statements as strongly expressed opinions rather than factual assertions. Jane Phillips, representing Al Jazeera, also noted that the documentary criticizing Waters did not “pull its punches” and that his response was similarly forceful.

The court reviewed two versions of the broadcast: an initial version aired on February 15-16, 2024, and a revised version on February 17, which remained online until May 1. The second version removed the “cheerleading” remark but retained the “pro-genocider” comment. The contested segments lasted around four minutes.

Mrs. Justice Eady has reserved judgment, meaning a written decision will follow later. The case highlights the growing tensions surrounding public discourse on Israel and Palestine, as well as the legal implications of strong political statements in the media.