Roger Waters has hit back at Disturbed frontman David Draiman after being accused of a “massive betrayal” to “Jews everywhere”.
In an escalation of a public row over the pair’s opposing stances on the Israel–Palestine conflict, the exchange followed comments made by David Draiman on Billy Corgan’s The Magnificent Others podcast, where he discussed the conflict and criticised Roger, a longstanding supporter of Palestinian rights.
During the interview, Billy suggested losing his father in the second world war was “the defining moment” in Roger’s life, adding such trauma may have made him “hypersensitive” to events in Palestine.
David, who is Jewish and pro-Israel, agreed – before sharply criticising Roger’s political positions and long-term activism.
He said: “I agree… (but) here’s the thing, Billy: I grew up on Pink Floyd. I loved Pink Floyd. It was such a massive betrayal, not just to me, but Jews everywhere when he went in the direction that he did.
“And it wasn’t just two years ago; he’s been doing this for a long time. Roger has a penchant for dictators – the worst (people) on planet earth, Roger just cosies right up to them. He has no problem whatsoever.”
When asked if he would “sit down and talk” to Roger, David added: “I’d have to punch him first, but yeah.”
Roger then responded on X, addressing Billy directly.
He said: “Someone forwarded me this chap’s appearance on your podcast. I’d never heard of him. Anyway, it turns out he has heard of me.
“It seems he has a problem with me standing up for human rights, particularly the human rights of my brothers and sisters in Gaza who are being slaughtered in a genocide by the armed forces of the Nazi racist, pariah state of Israel.”
He continued: “You, being the lovely fella you are gave this little piece of s*** a chance to clarify or even modify his position. He did.
“He is a psychotic racist Nazi pig. I’m told, Billy, he writes messages on bombs before the IDF drops them on civilians in Gaza. Enough said.”
Roger added he would continue to “demand equal human rights for all human beings, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity or nationality”.
David replied on X: “And here I was open to dialogue, even with someone I so deeply disagree with.”
He added: “It’s disappointing, but predictable. Be brave Roger. Blessed are the peacemakers, right?
“I’m always willing to try. We must all continue to try. Even with you.”
The dispute follows previous criticism by David, who in 2024 described Roger as “anti-Semitic to his rotten core”, and earlier remarks in 2019 condemning the prog rocker “and his Nazi comrades” over calls to boycott Israel.
Roger has repeatedly denied accusations of antisemitism, including in response to a 2023 documentary, which he described as “a flimsy, unapologetic piece of propaganda”, adding: “It relies on a definition of antisemitism that sees criticising Israel as inherently anti-Semitic and assumes that Zionism is an essential element in Jewish identity.”
In February 2025, the high court issued a preliminary ruling Roger had defamed journalist John Ware in comments made during an Al Jazeera interview.
Roger has continued to speak out on the conflict, urging followers in 2024 not to vote for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump over their positions, and more recently expressing support for Palestine Action after it was proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000.
