Overview of Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters on 9/11, JFK, Gaza, and Why the Israel Lobby Is Trying to Destroy Him
In this wide-ranging interview, Roger Waters argues that major Western narratives around war, terrorism, and geopolitics are shaped by propaganda, profit, and elite power rather than truth. The conversation centers on his long-running push for a real legal investigation into 9/11, his criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and the influence of pro-Israel lobbying, and his warnings about escalations toward war with Iran and Russia. Waters repeatedly returns to a core theme: ordinary people should reject hatred, question official stories, and choose empathy, kindness, and cooperation across national and religious lines.
Main Themes and Takeaways
9/11 as an unfinished and mishandled case
Waters says the official 9/11 story was never properly tested in a court of law and argues that the 9/11 Commission was not a genuine investigation. He claims the collapse of the Twin Towers and Building 7 cannot be explained by the official narrative alone and says the public deserved a judicial inquiry with real evidence and testimony.
He also links his current activism to the efforts of Matt Campbell, whose brother Jeffrey died in the World Trade Center. Waters says Campbell has spent decades trying to force a proper inquest and is now seeking a hearing in the UK Supreme Court. Waters urges people to support Campbell’s legal effort and crowdfunding campaign.
Waters’ broader distrust of official narratives
The interview expands from 9/11 into a broader critique of state power and media. Waters argues that the same pattern appears in the JFK assassination, the Iraq War, and current coverage of Gaza and Ukraine: official stories are accepted without adequate scrutiny, and dissenters are marginalized or punished.
He says powerful institutions protect themselves by suppressing questions, and he repeatedly frames this as a moral issue rather than a partisan one.
Gaza, apartheid, and the Israel lobby
A major portion of the interview is devoted to Waters’ criticism of Israel. He says his visits to Israel and the West Bank convinced him that Palestinians live under an apartheid system and that the situation amounts to a form of genocide. He emphasizes that his criticism is of the state and its policies, not Jewish people.
Waters claims that the “Israel lobby” has worked to damage his career by pressuring organizations, venues, and sponsors to sever ties with him. He cites examples including:
- being removed from Stand Up for Heroes events,
- pressure on charitable organizations such as City Harvest,
- reported hotel cancellations in parts of Latin America and Europe,
- and attempts to cancel concerts.
War, empire, and the push toward confrontation
Waters argues that U.S. and Western foreign policy are driven by greed, military industry, and elite interests. He ties 9/11, the Iraq War, intervention in the Middle East, and tensions with Iran to a broader project of “regime change” and regional domination.
He also warns that Western leaders are moving dangerously toward direct conflict with Russia, and he criticizes anti-Russian rhetoric as both reckless and historically ignorant. He says the West should be cooperating with Russia and other major powers, not escalating toward war.
Media, censorship, and being labeled a “hater”
Waters says mainstream media will not platform him and that he is effectively “persona non grata.” He rejects descriptions of him as hateful or dangerous, insisting that his actual message is one of universal human dignity, antiwar politics, and kindness.
He contrasts that with what he sees as media support for war and state violence, arguing that public dissent is often falsely branded as extremism.
Key Personal and Moral Points
“Kind” as a life goal
Waters repeatedly returns to the idea that the most important human quality is kindness. He cites a children’s book line — “What do you want to be when you grow up? Kind.” — as a distillation of his worldview.
Empathy across borders
He argues that people should think of each other as members of one human race rather than as enemies divided by nationality, religion, or ethnicity. He frames empathy as the antidote to war.
“Sumud” and collective resistance
Toward the end, Waters mentions the Arabic word sumud, meaning steadfast perseverance, especially in resistance to occupation or oppression. He says ordinary people standing together can still “turn this ship around,” but only if they organize and speak out.
Notable Claims and References
- The 9/11 Commission was, in his view, a sham rather than a true investigation.
- He references the collapse of Building 7 as a key reason he doubts the official account.
- He cites General Wesley Clark’s story about a post-9/11 plan to topple multiple countries in the Middle East.
- He compares the lack of full 9/11 inquiry to lingering questions around the JFK assassination.
- He says the West is drifting toward catastrophic confrontation with Iran and Russia.
Call to Action
Waters’ practical takeaway is simple:
- support a real legal inquiry into 9/11,
- question official narratives,
- oppose war,
- defend Palestinian rights,
- and choose empathy and kindness over nationalism and hatred.
He closes on a note of guarded hope: if ordinary people organize and stand together, he believes they can prevent further catastrophe.