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 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.