LONDON: British artist Brian Eno and company delivered a profoundly moving, and perhaps historic, night of music and solidarity for Palestine on Wednesday at London’s Wembley Arena.
The star-studded lineup of 20 artists for “Together for Palestine” achieved what many have failed to do: reignite a sense of humanity that has seemed dim after nearly two years of the Israeli regime’s arguably genocidal war on Gaza.
Guest speaks onstage during the Together For Palestine concert at Wembley Arena. (Getty Images)
International talents including Jamie XX, Faraj Suleiman, James Blake, Gorillaz, Saint Levante, the London Arab Orchestra and Damon Albarn accompanied by the Juzour Dance Collective, shared the stage with Hollywood stars, poets, activists, journalists, athletes, and medics.
The performances were accompanied by paintings by Palestinian artists in the background.
Over the course of the five-hour show, they created an unforgettable evening where emotions ran high and tears were shed with nearly every act.
There were inevitable comparisons with landmark events including the 1992 “A Concert for AIDS Awareness,” and the 1988 “Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute,” which took place while the South African leader was still imprisoned and branded a terrorist by several Western governments.
Eno himself said he hopes the event would have the same galvanizing effect.
The concert was a powerful testament to the strength of non-violent resistance in an era where brute force is deployed in the name of the few and language is increasingly weaponized to sow division and discord.
The concert closed with a poignant performance by Palestinian-Chilean artist Elyanna. Accompanied by her brother on the piano, she sang a song composed by their mother, encapsulating the sense of unity and resilience that few events in recent memory have managed to convey.
At a time when silence can be a sign of complicity with oppression and subjugation, “Together for Palestine” symbolized humanity’s civic duty and moral imperative to speak out.
Ultimately, the show was far more than a fundraiser — it was a resounding call for unity and dignity in the face of injustice.
The takeaway from the night was clear: world leaders should take heed that the world is watching, and solidarity is louder than silence.
As the curtain fell, one truth remained evident: Palestinians are not alone, and their voices echo stronger than ever.
