Coldplay fans boo Israeli women, leading to ‘dehumanising’ exchange on stage with Chris Martin - The Jewish Chronicle

Two Israeli fans brought on stage by Coldplay at Wembley Stadium were confronted by boos from the crowd, prompting frontman Chris Martin to awkwardly intervene before “controversially” welcoming Palestinian gig-goers in an exchange characterised as “hurtful” and “dehumanising” by some critics.

Martin, who routinely brings up fans to the stage, was performing with his band in London on Sunday evening when the women, named Avia and Tal, were invited to join them.

When he asked where they came from, the duo replied “Israel”, drawing boos and jeers from some members of the 90,000-strong crowd.

The “Yellow” singer hurriedly attempted to calm situation saying: “Okay, well listen, I’m very grateful that you’re here as humans, and I am treating you as equal humans on Earth, regardless of where you come from or don’t come from.”

He then added: “Although it’s controversial, maybe, I also want to welcome people in the audience from Palestine…out of the belief that we’re all equal humans,” to which the crowd erupted with enthusiastic cheers.

Sitting at the piano, Martin then told one of the women: “Thank you for being here, I’m very happy to see you, look at your beautiful green eyes.”

After the show, one of the women told Israeli broadcaster Kan that she had had doubts about revealing her Israeli identity to the crowd when she went on stage.

“There was a split second that we considered saying we are from Malta, and then I said ‘Israeli,’” she said in the interview. “We couldn’t and didn’t want to lie. It was a bit scary that 90,000 people know we are from here, but we said it.”

Israeli and Jewish fans of the band have criticised the exchange, describing it as “hurtful”, “mortifying” and “dehumanising”.

The Creative Community for Peace said on X: "Instead of defending them, Chris Martin ‘balanced’ it by greeting Palestine then told the girls, we are treating you as humans of this earth.’ Why did Israelis need to be reminded they will be treated as humans? Aren’t Israelis humans already? This is exactly the dehumanisation Jews face again and again, and it’s shameful that it played out on a stage meant for music and unity.”

At a previous gig in July, Martin drew attention to an Israeli flag he had spotted in the crowd, and added that he had seen a Palestinian flag at a concert the previous day.

“Yesterday, we had a beautiful Palestinian flag, today we have an Israeli flag,” he had said. “So we welcome all people. Thank you, my brothers and sisters. It makes me happy that both groups can come.”

Last summer during Coldplay’s Glastonbury set, Martin call for peace for people in Israel and Palestine.

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Music

Israel