"Fundraising concert at Wembley collects €1.7 million for aid in Gaza, organized by 'Together for Palestine'"
The "Together for Palestine" concert, held at the OVO Arena Wembley in London on September 17, 2020, was a powerful evening of music, solidarity, and non-violent resistance. The event, which was completely sold out with a capacity of 12,500, was a joint effort to aid groups such as Taawon, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, and Palestine Medical Relief Service.
Brandished as "a gathering of artists, musicians, and people for whom silence feels impossible," the concert featured renowned artists and activists, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Brian Eno, and Francesca Albanese. Brian Eno, a British musician, director, and writer, was instrumental in organizing the event, and UK charity Choose Love also played a role.
The concert kicked off with a prerecorded video featuring actors Cillian Murphy, Joaquin Phoenix, and Brian Cox. Later, Benedict Cumberbatch read a poignant poem, "On this land there are reasons to live," by the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, setting the tone for the evening.
Prominent contributors to the concert included Jamie XX, Faraj Suleiman, James Blake, Gorillaz, Saint Levante, Damon Albarn, and the London Arab Orchestra. They performed alongside the Juzour Dance Collective, poets, activists, and other participants, creating a dynamic and moving show.
During the concert, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, addressed the crowd, highlighting the plight of many Palestinians who are holding loved ones in makeshift tents, waiting for the next bomb. Brian Eno also read a poem, "OH RASCAL CHILDREN OF GAZA" by Khaled Juma, further emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The "Together for Palestine" concert was livestreamed on YouTube, allowing a global audience to bear witness to the powerful display of unity and support. The event aimed to support Palestine-led organizations through fundraising activity, and it was undoubtedly a success in bringing attention to the ongoing struggle and raising much-needed funds.
