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Charlotte Church denies she’s antisemitic after leading a choir to sing ‘From the River to the Sea’
Chruch led the direct call for the state of Israel to be destroyed
February 26, 2024 16:15
Chruch led the direct call for the state of Israel to be destroyed
February 26, 2024 16:15Charlotte Church has faced criticism for leading more than 100 people including children to sing an anti-Israel song at a ‘Sing For Palestine’ event in Caerphilly, south Wales.
The 38-year-old, who found fame as a child star, led the choir in a protest chant which is widely understood to be a direct call for the state of Israel to be destroyed.
The opera singer was wearing a keffiyeh scarf and at one point could be seen singing 'Stop the Occupation’ at the event at the Bedwas Workmen's Hall on Saturday night.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism has accused her of using her “stardom to teach kids to sing extremist lyrics in a village hall.”
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jewish MP Andrew Percy said the scene was “deeply concerning.”
He said those who joined the singer should hang their heads in shame.”
Church told the crowd it was a “safe space to just breathe and sing and get it all out.”
On Instagram today Church denied she was antisemitic, saying: “Just to clarify my intentions there, I am in no way antisemitic. I am fighting for the liberation of all people. I have a deep heart for all religions and all difference.
"It was a beautiful, beautiful event. But unfortunately, the powers that be can't have that.”
She added of the chant: “Clearly, if you know the history of it all, it’s not an antisemitic chant calling for the obliteration of Israel. It is not that in any way shape or form. It is calling for the peaceful coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians.”
The event was held to raise money for the Middle East Children's Alliance charity.
Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for an investigation by the Charity Commission.
The organisation told MailOnline: 'The genocidal chant "From the River to the Sea" refers to the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, and only makes sense as a call for the destruction of the world's only Jewish state - and its replacement with a Palestinian state. It is a call for the annihilation of half the world's Jews, who live in Israel.
“Since 7th October, when Hamas committed their barbaric terrorist acts, we have heard this chant on the streets of Britain during anti-Israel marches, accompanied by all manner of anti-Jewish racism.”
The group added: “Singing "From the River to the Sea" is not standing up for human rights. At best Charlotte Church has been tone deaf, but at worst she is using the voice for which she is so well known to fan the flames of hatred. You cannot stoop lower than using your stardom to teach kids to sing extremist lyrics in a village hall.
“We will be writing to the Charity Commission to ask them to investigate how this was allowed to take place on a charity's premises.”
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