Former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters may face prosecution in the U.K. after publicly supporting Palestine Action—a group recently declared a terrorist organization by the British government.
In a video posted to X on Saturday, the 80-year-old musician praised Palestine Action as a “great organization,” just days after Parliament formally outlawed the group under anti-terrorism laws. Waters also voiced support for musician Bob Vylan, who led the Glastonbury Festival crowd in chants of “Death to the IDF.”
In the clip, Waters appears in his studio holding a cardboard sign marked with the date July 5, 2025, reading:
“Roger Waters supports Palestine Action… Parliament has been corrupted by agents of a genocidal foreign power. Stand up and be counted. It’s now.”
“This is Independence Day. I declare my independence from the U.K. government, who’ve just designated Palestine Action a terrorist organization,” he said.
Waters defended the group as a nonviolent protest movement opposing the presence of Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems in the U.K., saying, “They are absolutely not terrorists in any way.”
Legal Consequences Loom
Following the ban, anyone expressing support for Palestine Action could face serious penalties under the U.K.’s Terrorism Act 2000, including up to 14 years in prison and/or a fine. The law prohibits “inviting support” for or expressing approval of a proscribed organization.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), a nonprofit watchdog group, warned it may pursue a private prosecution against Waters if law enforcement fails to act. The group reposted Waters’ video on X, saying his comments may constitute a criminal offense.
“Roger Waters has a long history of promoting dangerous conspiratorial tropes,” a CAA spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “His declaration of support for Palestine Action, now a banned organization, is his most legally provocative move yet. We expect the police to act, and if not, we will.”
Government Crackdown
Palestine Action was officially outlawed last week following a vote in Parliament. The decision came after the group’s activists allegedly infiltrated a Royal Air Force base and damaged military equipment in protest of U.K. ties to Israel.
Minister of State Sir David Hanson said the group “glorified its attacks involving serious property damage” and had published an underground manual encouraging members to evade arrest and sabotage facilities.
“This is not peaceful protest. This is criminal activity dressed up as activism,” Hanson said. “We would not tolerate this behavior from extremist right-wing or Islamist groups, and we will not tolerate it here.”
The list of banned organizations in the U.K. currently includes 81 groups, such as ISIS, Hamas, and al-Qaeda.
Waters’ Controversial History
Waters has frequently drawn criticism for his political activism, including accusations of antisemitism, which he has denied. His latest remarks have reignited outrage from critics who say his rhetoric crosses legal and ethical lines.
In his video, Waters praised others in the pro-Palestinian movement, saying:
“We must support our brothers and sisters in Palestine… I love you all.”
At the Glastonbury Festival, Bob Vylan shouted anti-Israel slogans from the stage—a moment Waters described as “inspiring.”
What’s Next?
So far, U.K. authorities have not publicly announced whether Waters will be investigated. But under British law, public displays of support for banned groups—including verbal approval or symbolic acts—can trigger criminal charges.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism says it will closely monitor the situation and, if necessary, initiate legal action themselves.
“We will not stand by while extremists incite hatred and support terror under the guise of free speech,” the group stated.
