Billie Eilish, Cillian Murphy, Steve Coogan and more have featured in a new message for Together For Palestine, ahead of a huge benefit show in London tonight (September 17).
The gig, organised by Brian Eno, will take place at the capital’s OVO Arena Wembley, and is being live-streamed online.
It’ll see the likes of Damon Albarn, Bastille, Cat Burns, Greentea Peng, Hot Chip, James Blake and Jamie xx “come together – not just to raise our voices, but to reaffirm our shared humanity”, as Eno explained.
The new one-minute Together For Palestine video begins with appearances from Peaky Blinders star Murphy and Joker‘s Joaquin Phoenix. Later, we see the likes of Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters), Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge), DJ and broadcaster Annie Mac, and Peter Gabriel.
Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas then say they are “together for Palestine” before Ben Howard, Chris O’Dowd (The IT Crowd, Black Mirror) and Brian Cox (Succession) all show their support.
“We have to tell the truth on behalf of the people of Palestine,” says Cox. US photographer and activist Nan Goldin then explains: “It’s always been the artist’s role in society to speak out, to risk speaking truth to power.”
Author, poet, presenter, political columnist, broadcaster and activist Michael Wayne Rosen adds: “We know that the leaders of this country are complicit in the mass murder of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.”
Coogan tells viewers: “It’s important to speak out now, not when this is over. Right now, while it’s happening. Pressurise your government, lend your support to those who are peacefully campaigning, call for a ceasefire, stop the killing.”
You can watch the video message in full above, and see the names of those who feature below (in order of appearance).
Cillian Murphy
Joaquin Phoenix
Natasha Rothwell
Michael Wayne Rosen
Sharon Horgan
Steve Coogan
Penélope Cruz
Benedict Wong
India Amarteifio
Annie Mac
Nan Goldin
Peter Gabriel
Javier Bardem
Billie Eilish
FINNEAS
Denise Gough
Ben Howard
Harriet Walter
Rupi Kaur
Max Porter
Caitríona Balfe
Chris O’Dowd
Brian Cox
Dawn O’Porter
Malala Yousafzai
Indya Moore
Nikita Gill
Luis Tosar
Residente
Carlos Bardem
Tamar Novas
Tahar Rahim
The money raised from tonight’s Together For Palestine show – the UK’s largest benefit concert for Gaza – is set to be distributed to Palestinian-led organisations such as Taawon, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and Palestine Medical Relief Service.
Merchandise has also gone on sale on the Together For Palestine online shop.
Earlier this month, another wave of acts were announced, including Celeste, Leigh-Anne, PinkPantheress, Rina Sawayama, Riz Ahmed, Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna, Palestinian musician Saint Levant, and Palestinian-Jordanian artist El Far3i.
Upon sharing details of the live-stream, organisers also confirmed an additional batch of big names for the gig. These included Paul Weller, Florence Pugh, Eric Cantona and Neneh Cherry.
Explaining why he was organising the event, Eno said: “I’ve had the good fortune to work with some of the world’s most remarkable artists for over 50 years. But one of my biggest regrets is that during that time so many of us have remained silent about Palestine.
“Often that silence has come from fear, real fear – that speaking out could provoke a backlash, close doors or end a career. But that’s now changing – partly because some artists and activists have lit the path, but mostly because the truth of what’s going on has become impossible to ignore.”
Highlighting the relief efforts made by Amnesty International and Doctors Without Borders, he added: “We can’t remain silent. Which is why I’m helping to organise Together for Palestine – a night of music, reflection and hope at Wembley Arena.
“Whether on stage or by video from around the world, this is a chance for us to stand together and say: this can’t continue.”
Meanwhile, Paul Weller has also curated a separate event to raise money for people in Gaza. ‘Gig For Gaza’ takes place at London’s Troxy on Friday October 17. Primal Scream, Inhaler and Maverick Sabre will be performing alongside the former Jam frontman.
Back in July, Billie Eilish called Israel’s relocation plans for Gaza “horrifying”.
