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London’s OVO Arena Wembley became the stage for the U.K.’s largest fundraising concert for Gaza on Wednesday, bringing together musicians, actors, activists and humanitarians under the banner of “Together for Palestine.”
The sold-out event raised £1.5 million ($2 million) for Palestinian-led humanitarian organizations, according to activist and actress Jameela Jamil, who announced the show.
Ticket proceeds will be distributed through U.K. charity Choose Love to groups including the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), and Taawon, which runs orphan care programs in Gaza.
Merchandise also went on sale, and online donations were solicited through the official “Together for Palestine” website.
The concert was organized by musician and producer Brian Eno, who said he and others had been planning the event for more than a year.
Writing in The Guardian, Eno described the difficulty of securing a venue and streaming partners.
“Even finding a venue proved challenging: the mere mention of the word ‘Palestine’ was a near-certain precursor to refusal,” he said.
“But at some point in the past few months, something changed. Wembley signed a contract, YouTube finally consented to streaming the event, and—most importantly—artists agreed to appear.”
Eno opened the night by reading Palestinian poet Khaled Juma’s “Oh rascal children of Gaza” and emphasized that the event was a chance “to stand together and say: this can’t continue.”
Performers included Bastille, James Blake, Paloma Faith, Jamie xx, PinkPantheress, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Saint Levant and Elyanna.
Palestinian artist Malak Mattar co-designed the stage with renowned set designer Es Devlin, featuring work from eight Palestinian artists killed in Israeli attacks, according to Vogue, as cited by CNN.
Notable speakers included Florence Pugh, Nicola Coughlan, Benedict Cumberbatch, broadcaster Mehdi Hasan, footballer Eric Cantona and U.N. special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese.
Many used the stage to call for an end to the war in Gaza and to criticize public silence around the issue.
“Silence in the face of such suffering is not neutrality. It is complicity,” said Florence Pugh.
“There are many artists that I love… and they’re saying nothing in this moment,” added Nicola Coughlan.
Hours before the concert, “Together for Palestine” released a one-minute video featuring dozens of high-profile figures urging a ceasefire and international action.
Participants included Billie Eilish, Finneas, Cillian Murphy, Joaquin Phoenix, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Brian Cox, Malala Yousafzai, Peter Gabriel, Sharon Horgan, Steve Coogan, Benedict Wong, and Rupi Kaur.
Scottish actor Brian Cox said, “We have to tell the truth on behalf of the people of Palestine.”
American photographer and activist Nan Goldin added, "It’s always been the artist’s role in society to speak out, to risk speaking truth to power.”
Coogan urged immediate action, saying: “It’s important to speak out now, not when this is over. Pressurize your government. Lend your support to those who are peacefully campaigning. Call for a ceasefire, stop the killing.”
The event took place one day after an independent United Nations inquiry concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza—the first such formal finding.
The Israeli government rejected the accusation, calling the report distorted and false.
The war has killed nearly 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and parts of the enclave have been officially declared under famine.
Israel launched a new ground incursion into Gaza City this week despite widespread international condemnation.
The Wembley event was part of a growing wave of celebrity activism on Palestine.
For years, Eno said, artists feared backlash or professional consequences for speaking out. That fear appears to be fading.
Recent months have seen similar gestures, from Javier Bardem wearing a keffiyeh on the Emmy red carpet to comedian Hannah Einbinder calling for a “Free Palestine” in her acceptance speech.
Hundreds of Hollywood workers have also signed pledges to boycott Israeli companies over the war.
Eilish and Finneas previously wore Artists4Ceasefire pins at the 2024 Oscars, calling for a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid delivery.
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