A few nights ago, over 150 cultural figures from around the world, including musicians, actors, athletes, journalists, poets, and others, gathered at the OVO Arena in Wembley to express their solidarity with the people of Palestine. Executive produced and curated by Brian Eno, the event "Together For Palestine" showcased performances, poetry, and impassioned speeches that were politically charged, spiritually searching, and unambiguously emphasized that a genocide was being carried out against the people of Gaza by Israel, even as the UK continues to deny this reality.
The concert maintained a ceremonial atmosphere, guided by Es Devlin's stage design and Gazan artist Malak Mattar, known as ‘the Picasso of Palestine.’ Mattar opened the show with Guz Khan and Riz Ahmed, highlighting how her contemporary Palestinian art represents creativity and resilience, asserting that these artworks will survive the ongoing destruction of her homeland, which has persisted for over two and a half decades.
From the start, Palestinian voices were front and center, beginning with the atmospheric dance and DJ set by Sama’ Abdulhadi, who performed back-to-back with Jamie xx. Later, Brian Eno united Damon Albarn, Paul Weller, Adnan Joubran, Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor, and Nadine Shah for a specially composed musical piece, followed by a reading of the well-known Khaled Juma poem, “Oh Rascal Children of Gaza.”
The concert skillfully transitioned between stirring performances, staged readings, and sobering interludes depicting life under constant siege in Gaza. Actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Amer Hlehel, and Ruth Negga narrated Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish’s “On this land there are reasons to live” in complete silence—a raw moment filled with collective awe, despair, and shame. Broadcaster Mehdi Hasan passionately defended journalists in Gaza who have been systematically targeted, critiquing Western media's biased reporting, denial of genocide, and manufactured consent.
One of the most devastating moments came from Palestinian war reporter Yara Eid, who shared her heartbreaking account of losing 80 family members, colleagues, mentors, and her soulmate. Yet, despite the devastation faced by her people, her final words honored the profession that instilled in her a sense of moral obligation.
Following the tribute to journalists, there was a heartfelt acknowledgment of medical personnel in Gaza. Twelve frontline medics, led by Dr. Victoria Rose and Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, took the stage before a rare, filmed performance by Portishead, with a backdrop transformed into soft, luminous white tones. The evening concluded with a performance by Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna, who sang her ballad “Olive Branch (Ghosn Zeytoun)” with her brother and co-writer Feras on piano—an emotional homage to the land and its indigenous spirit.
Hearing terms such as ethnic cleansing, race wars, occupation, annexation, and colonization articulated clearly from the stage was unsettling; these are words deliberately absent from UK media reporting on the genocide. As the event progressed in length and emotional impact, it became apparent that such a significant concert was not broadcast live on television, even though it was being streamed online.
Nevertheless, evenings like this serve as a reminder that solidarity can take many forms. It is not conditional; it represents the minimum we can offer to a people whose dignity is being denied. In our protected surroundings, amidst a diverse audience of all backgrounds, the voices of solidarity for Palestine grew increasingly louder and could not be ignored.
So far, nearly £1.5 million has been raised since the concert's announcement just seven weeks ago through ticket sales and private donations for the "Together For Palestine Fund," which aims to generate millions more in the coming weeks. Every penny raised for Choose Love (charity number 1177927) will be distributed to Palestinian-led organizations such as Taawon, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and Palestine Medical Relief Service.
Merchandise is available for purchase for one more month, and direct donations can also be made.
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A few nights ago, over 150 cultural personalities from around the world, comprising musicians, actors, athletes, journalists, poets, and others, gathered.