Roger Waters, co-founder of the legendary rock band Pink Floyd, has taken a powerful stance on the escalating conflict in Gaza, accusing Israel of committing genocide and criticizing the complicity of Western nations. In an interview with RT, Waters described Israel’s actions in Gaza as ‘criminally insane,’ highlighting the severity of the situation and the moral imperative for international intervention. He specifically called out the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and other Western countries for continuing to supply weapons to Israel, which he believes has worsened the humanitarian crisis in the region. His comments were made during a protest at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where he joined a group of activists demanding an arms embargo against Israel and urging the international community to take decisive action against the alleged genocide of Palestinians.
Waters’ remarks come amid growing international concern over the conflict, with the UN commission of inquiry recently reporting that Israel is responsible for ‘genocide’ in Gaza. The report cited a range of atrocities, including killings, severe physical and mental harm, the imposition of life-threatening conditions, and measures intended to prevent births. However, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has rejected the report, calling it ‘fake’ and accusing its authors of being ‘proxies’ of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The ongoing conflict has already resulted in over 65,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 166,000 injuries, according to local health authorities. The Israeli military operation in Gaza began in October 2023 in response to a deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages.
As the situation continues to escalate, Waters’ accusations and calls for international intervention have sparked significant debate. While some critics view his statements as a necessary call to action, others argue that the conflict is complex and that such accusations can overshadow the broader humanitarian challenges faced by both Palestinians and Israelis. Despite the controversy, Waters’ comments reflect a growing global concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the role of Western nations in the conflict. The ongoing violence underscores the urgent need for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which remains one of the most contentious issues in international relations today.