It was exactly 11 years ago that I first joined a protest in support of Palestine. In 2014, tens of thousands of ordinary people took to the streets of London to protest the Gaza War – a 50-day conflict during which 2,251 Palestinians, including 1,462 civilians and 551 children, as well as 66 Israeli soldiers and five civilians, including one child, were killed (per the UN).
Where many might not remember the 2014 conflict, few can escape the current horror in Gaza. Since the Hamas attack on Israel, on October 7th 2023, the Israeli military response has killed nearly 65,000 Palestinians (per the Palestinian Ministry of Health), although real figures could be much higher. Many human rights organisations, charities and genocide scholars have described the situation as a genocide.
But while there were politicians such as Diane Abbott speaking out at that first rally I attended back in 2014, many celebrities stayed silent. Those who did show support, such as Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Selena Gomez and Rihanna, were lambasted or ordered to backtrack by industry peers. Speaking out against the injustices in Palestine has always come at a price, but finally, more and more artists are stepping away from silence.
The fundamental democratic act of protest, even when peaceful, now comes with huge personal risk. We speak to three women who were arrested on suspicion of breaking terrorism laws at the Palestine Action protest earlier this month.
The star-studded Together for Palestine concert, held at The OVO Arena in Wembley last night, was a prime example of artists and activists using their voices to raise both awareness and much needed funds – the total was over £1.5 million and rising by the end of the night.
It was a deeply emotional event; the joy of witnessing some of the word’s best musicians and speakers in action while being constantly aware of the devastation that had brought them together. Both tears and cheers from the 12,500 people in attendance filled the venue – tens of thousands more live-streamed the event from around the world. The gig took place a day after a UN commission found that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza. At the same time, Israel intensified attacks on the strip, forcing thousands to flee from Gaza City.
The concert, which raised funds for three Palestinian-led organisations through UK charity Choose Love, showcased four and a half hours of music and moving messages from 69 artists and speakers. Highlights included poignant duets from Cat Burns and Rachel Chinouriri who dedicated their song “Even” to the inequality faced by Palestinians, while Greentea Peng was joined on stage by Neneh Cherry for a version of the latter’s 1994 hit "Seven Seconds”. Acoustic sets from James Blake, Sampha and Paloma Faith moved many in the audience to tears while Damon Albarn’s ensemble of The London Arab Orchestra and the Juzour Dance Collective had the whole crowd on their feet cheering along to Palestinian anthem “Ana Dammi Falastini”. Damon’s collective Gorillaz was joined on stage by hip hop legend Yasiin Bey and Syrian singer Omar Souleyman, while Brian Eno’s set hosted friends including Paul Weller, Nadine Shah and Palestinian oud player and composer Adnan Joubran.
There were empowering speeches, poetry readings and calls to actions from activists and artists including Florence Pugh, Leigh-Anne, Charithra Chandran, Jameela Jamil, PinkPantheress, Riz Ahmed, Eric Cantona, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Louis Theroux, Benedict Cumberbatch, Guy Pearce and Nicola Coughlan – who called out those with a platform who remain silent on the issue. A surprise appearance by Richard Gere had the audience confused but delighted, while Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos, human rights legal scholar Francesca Albanese, journalist Mehdi Hasan and actor Khalid Abdalla – the co-organiser of the event – all received standing ovations.
Some of the major highlights were provided by the Palestinian presence at the event, a spell-bounding three-song set from singer and musician Nai Barghouti was interspersed with stunning flute-playing, while global superstars Saint Levant and Elyanna closed out the show. Other Palestinian voices included actors, singers and musicians such as Motaz Malhees, El Far3, Faraj Suleiman, Amer Hlehel, Bilal Hasna and DJ Sara Abdulhadi who opened the event alongside Jamie XX.
There were powerful tributes to Gaza’s medical staff led by British-Palestinian surgeon Dr, Ghassan Abu-Sittah, and to the 270 Palestinian journalists who have been killed, led Palestinian journalist and activist Yara Eid. The various voices of solidarity were accompanied on stage by a breathtaking backdrop of visuals – paintings curated by Palestinian artist Malak Mattar, who left her home in Gaza on October 6th 2023 to study in the UK and has been exiled ever since. The 25-year-old visual artist, who has exhibited in over 80 countries, chose the works of around 15 Palestinian artists including Vera Tamari, Laila Shawa, Nabil Anani and Siman Mansour. The images were interwoven with scenes from Gaza, honouring the bravery of journalists, medical staff, teachers and aid workers.
Bad faith actors are at it again.
Charithra Chandran
"This event is important to me for three reasons: raising money for Palestinian-led organisations doing the work on the ground, raising awareness for what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank, and showing solidarity with Palestinians everywhere: we hear you, we see you and we want to do all that we can to help.
“I wanted to be a part of it because what’s the point of having a platform if you don’t use it to stand up for the things you believe in? I’m excited to see Elyanna perform, she has the voice of an angel. I’m inspired to hear Dr. Abu-Sittah speak as he has experience of working in Gaza – providing medical help to the people there during this genocide. I know it can seem overwhelming to engage with something so harrowing, and I know that often it can feel helpless, but it is nothing compared to what the people in Gaza are experiencing right now. Any small act we can do to help and to advocate, will make a difference.”
Jameela Jamil
“I have been vocal about this cause for years now and cannot believe that this is where things stand. I cannot believe it is still controversial and actively stigmatised to help people who are suffering right in front of our eyes. Those of us with large profiles have to continue to remove the stigma and normalise showing humanity and compassion to those most in need. I am devastated by the silence and complicity.
“We are raising money for medical aid. There are children losing limbs daily and being operated upon without anaesthetic. How can we live with ourselves and stand by and do nothing? It is the bare minimum of what any human needs and deserves. It is life-saving aid and I’m proud to see how many iconic Brits are taking to the stage to stand up for what is right. So often the West ignores the suffering of people who do not look like them. Today is a marked shift in that narrative.
“We have such incredible Palestinian artists taking to the stage, like Faraj Sulieman, reminding people of the beauty of the culture of Palestine, not just the suffering being forced upon them. We must not stop until we see an end to the siege, starvation, suffering and ethnic cleansing of Palestine. We are literally paying for this with our taxes. We must push back before this entire population is erased right in front of us. There is blood on all of our hands. I have been working with Choose Love for almost a decade. I can say first hand that they are the greatest organisation I have ever worked with.”
Nai Barghouti
“I joined Together for Palestine to be able to say what words can’t anymore. I have run out of words to express the grief, anger, heartbreak, fear and stress that I, like many others, have been feeling. However, working on my second album at the moment has given me some kind of reassurance. It’s a small reminder of how music can let all those lonely feelings out. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share some of this music with the audience and the fellow artists and musicians involved. I hope our message will inspire others to be vocal about Palestine and to join our journey towards freedom, justice and equality.
“Our art bears witness to what goes on in the world around us. Through it, we must stand up collectively and refuse to separate our music and artistry from our unjust reality. We must refuse to let our art be used as an excuse to remain silent, or worse, to whitewash a live-streamed genocide. As Palestinian artists, we also refuse to be turned into the silent and the well-behaved oppressed.
“Those with large platforms, especially, have a responsibility towards their followers. It cannot be public when needed and private when convenient. I feel very honoured to share the stage with such incredible artists, whom I now hold even more respect and appreciation for, as they use their talent and works to make a difference. I hope that people around the world will remember this event as the historical moment it is: the biggest event of its kind for Palestine.”
Paloma Faith
"I have been vocal about Gaza from the beginning of this genocide but aware of it my whole life. I have been campaigning tirelessly and marching since October 7th and in that time I’ve seen the worst and the best of humanity. There is no excuse for any parent to be able to see the images of children in Gaza and find any reason why this should be seen as acceptable. People call it politics, I feel it’s more a question of humanity. If this is allowed to happen, who will they come for next? Sudan and Congo are already on their knees, next will be women, trans people, ethnic minorities. People don’t realise it’s all the same cause. You can’t be anti-racist or a feminist and not fight for Gaza.
“When people say to me I should just get on with singing and not use my platform to speak out for marginalised voices, I say: ‘I would love to be able just sing but unfortunately this world is falling apart at the seams and I have to do what I can to magnify unheard voices’. If that means I don’t earn as much as someone who doesn’t, that’s a risk I have been prepared to take, at least when I die I will know I tried my hardest. Did you?”
Munroe Bergdorf
“For me, music has always been a way to be able to process and make sense of how I’m feeling, to connect with like-minded people and access a sense of necessary catharsis. Together for Palestine is doing just that, uniting us through music, to raise awareness of the genocide in Gaza and to raise money for much needed aid. I feel like it’s my duty as a human being to speak up any time that I see other human beings experiencing injustice. As a transgender person, I know the importance of allies speaking up from my community. How could I possibly ask for safety, dignity, justice, freedom and equality for my community, if I’m not also advocating for others. This is a matter of human rights.”
You can still get involved by donating to the Together For Palestine Fund or by purchasing limited edition t-shirts and accessories, which include collaborations with designers such as Simone Rocha, Zeid Hijazi, Priya Ahluwalia, Katherine Hammett and Bella Freud. Merchandise is available to buy here or direct donations can be made here.
Want to hear more music in support of Choose Love? Join Arielle Free and special guests in London this Sunday. More details here.
