Wembley was host to thousands last night, as well as a number of celebrities
On September 16, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel reported that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. According to the former chief of the Israeli military, Chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, more than 10% of people have been killed or injured in Gaza.
As of mid‐September 2025, Gaza’s Health Ministry is reporting nearly 65,000 Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023. Out of these, children are reported to make up a substantial proportion.
It is for these reasons, among others, that I found myself last night (Wednesday, September 17) at the Ovo Arena Wembley for the Together For Palestine concert. I was one of thousands.
Millions live-streamed the show around the world, including Palestinians in Gaza. The sense of being part of something historic was palpable.
I can’t help but recall the legendary Live Aid concert that took place just a few meters away at Wembley Stadium decades ago. Last night, too, felt like a moment that will be remembered.
A vibrant and diverse line-up of performers took the stage at 6:30pm, captivating the audience until the show’s conclusion around 11pm. Midway through the evening, excitement rippled through the crowd as Jameela Jamil announced that donations had reached nearly £1.5 million.
Every penny raised will be distributed through Choose Love, with funds going directly to Palestinian-led organisations such as Taawon, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and the Palestinian Medical Relief Society. Standout performances included the London Arab Orchestra, joined by Damon Albarn on piano, delivering a stirring rendition of the viral “Falasteen” song.
Saint Levant energised the crowd with a set featuring his most celebrated tracks, while Elyanna, notable as Coldplay’s opening act, moved the audience with her powerful performance of “Olive Tree”.
Journalist Mehdi Hasan reminded the audience that, despite international reporters often being barred from Gaza, Palestinian journalists continue to risk, and lose, their lives. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, more journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 2023 than in any conflict since World War II, a fact Mehdi brought up to the stage, triggering numerous shouts of “shame” from the crowd.
Football legend Eric Cantona appeared on stage alongside a Palestinian footballer to honour the late Suleiman Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pelé”, who was shot and killed by Israeli forces in Gaza while waiting for humanitarian aid. The French football star called on FIFA and UEFA to ban Israel from international competition, highlighting the contrast with Russia’s ban after its invasion of Ukraine. He urged fellow footballers to refuse to play against Israeli teams in protest.
One of the evening’s most emotional moments for me came when 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos took the stage. Drawing parallels between the suffering of his own family during the Holocaust and the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, Stephen, who regularly attends pro-Palestine demonstrations in London and has even been arrested for his activism, moved many in the audience to tears, including myself.
Louis Theroux, joined by Amelia Dimoldenberg, spoke about his BBC documentary “The Settlers”, which explores the Israeli settlement movement in the West Bank. However, when the beloved journalist referred to the current situation in Gaza as “the violence”, some in the crowd called out, urging him to name it as genocide.
Sitting in the audience, I realised that the era of consequence-free celebrity is over. There was a sense that people now recognise their own power to hold public figures, and those in positions of authority, accountable.
Nicola Coughlan captured this sentiment perfectly when she took the stage, pointedly criticising the many celebrities with millions of followers who have chosen to remain silent in the face of injustice.
The evening was full of unexpected moments. Richard Gere, departing from the script on the teleprompter, used his platform to sharply criticise “his President”, reminding the audience that the US has the power to help end the atrocities in Palestine “in one day”. The moment he mentioned the name “Trump”, a wave of boos echoed throughout the arena.
Italian legal scholar and UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese received not one, but two standing ovations for her powerful speech about the importance of daring to dream of a free Palestine. Moreover, Benedict Cumberbatch recited Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish’s “On This Land There Are Reasons to Live”.
Palestinian journalist and human rights advocate Yara Eid moved the audience to tears as she spoke about the devastating loss of so many members of her family, including her soulmate, Ibrahim, who was killed in Gaza. Her courage and vulnerability brought home the human cost of the conflict, reminding everyone present of the urgent need for justice and peace.
The evening was a powerful reminder that collective action can make a difference. With its record-breaking fundraising and bold calls for justice, this event was nothing short of historic, and despite the tears, the rage, and the fear, I also felt hope that one day, Palestine will be free.
List of celebrities who signed the event:
Adnan Joubran, Amena, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Amer Hlehel, Ayyashi, Bastille, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bilal Hasna, Brian Eno, Cat Burns, Celeste, Charithra Chandran, Damon Albarn, Diana Butu, Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, Dr Victoria Rose, El Far3i, Elyanna, Eric Cantona, Faraj Suleiman, Florence Pugh, Francesca Albanese, Greentea Peng, Guz Khan, Guy Pearce, Hot Chip, Ibio Sound Machine, Inua Ellams, Jameela Jamil, James Blake, Jamie XX, Khalid Abdalla, King Krule, Lana Lubany, Laura Whitmore, Leigh-Anne, London Arab Orchestra, London Community Gospel Choir, Louis Theroux, Mabel, Madam Ghandi, Malak Matter, Mary Nazzal, Mehdi Hassan, Misan Harriman, Motay Malhees, Munroe Bergdorf, Nai Barghouti, Nadine Shah, Neneh Cherry, Obongjayar, Paloma Faith, Paul Weller, PinkPantheress, Rachel Chinouriri, Ramy Youssef, Rina Sawayama, Riz Ahmed, Ruth Negga, Sama Abdulhadi, Sampha, Saint Levant, Stephen Kapo, Sura Abdo, Trans Voices, Yasmeen, Yara Eid, Ysee, Zainab Jiwa, and special live recordings by Portishead.
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