Nicola Coughlan, Laura Whitmore and more speak out for Gaza at Together For Palestine concert

Nicola Coughlan and Laura Whitmore were among the international celebrities who spoke out for Gaza at the Together For Palestine fundraising concert.

Together For Palestine, organised by Brian Eno, consisted of musical performances, speeches and art performed at London's Wembley Arena last night, with all proceeds going to Palestinian aid organisations.

Coughlan delivered a speech in which she criticised artists "who are saying nothing" about Gaza.

"I have joined many colleagues in signing letters calling for a ceasefire and speaking out on what we believe to be grave violations of human rights in Gaza," Coughlan said.

"But I'm going to use this moment to say there are many artists that I love, that I know you love, that have hundreds of millions of followers, and they're saying nothing in this moment."

Watch Nicola Coughlan's speech at Together For Palestine below:

 

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Earlier this year, Coughlan joined Whitmore and Ruth Negga — both of whom were also at Together For Palestine — along with over 300 other public figures in signing an open letter calling on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to "end the UK’s complicity in the horrors in Gaza."

During Whitmore's speech at Together For Palestine, she highlighted the struggles of parents raising children amid famine and bombardment.

"I am a mother, I have a little girl," Whitmore said.

"I can't imagine what it's like to be a parent in Gaza, not being able to protect or even feed your hungry babies. What's been happening in Gaza for decades is wrong. But now it's escalated to levels I can't even comprehend and it's not about sides, it's about basic humanity."

She described how she recently brought her four-year-old daughter to her first protest in London, explaining, "I wanted to teach her that when you see something wrong, you speak up. The world is watching."

Watch Laura Whitmore's speech at Together For Palestine below:

 

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Bambie Thug also attended Together For Palestine, though as a punter. Speaking to press backstage, they said they "wouldn't be anywhere else" other than Together For Palestine.

"It's a beautiful thing to be in the same room with people with the same moral standpoint and consciousness that's intact," Bambie Thug said.

"[Together For Palestine] speaks volumes for the power of art and the power of music, the power it has to bring community
together. It can definitely shift and change people's standpoints. When our governments aren't stepping up, I think it's really it is the job of the artist to say what the people want to be saying themselves."

The former Eurovision contestant also commented on Ireland and Spain's recent announcements that they will withdraw from the song contest if Israel is allowed to participate.

"I'm really proud of my country for leading that, and it's amazing that Spain, who's one of the big five, is doing it as well," said Bambie Thug, referring to Spain, France, Germany, Italy and the UK — the group of countries that financially contribute the most to Eurovision's broadcaster and thus are allowed direct entry into the final.

"So, if they're saying no, then that's a pretty big move. And I hope the UK will join them and Italy and Germany and the rest of them, too."

Though Dublin-born fashion designer Simone Rocha did not speak on stage, she designed a limited-edition shirt commemorating the event. It is available for purchase on the Together For Palestine website, with all proceeds donated to Palestinian aid organisations.

The show also featured speeches and performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Jameela Jamil, PinkPantheress, Damon Albarn, Florence Pugh, Paul Weller and more, as well as Palestinian artists such as Saint Levant and Elyanna.

Ahead of the concert, over 30 public figures featured in a video message about the event including Whitmore and Caitríona Balfe — who spoke Irish together in the video — along with Cillian Murphy, Sharon Horgan, Chris O'Dowd and Annie Mac.

Also featured were Billie Eilish, FINNEAS, Joaquin Phoenix, Penélope Cruz, Peter Gabriel, Rupi Kaur, Malala Yousafzai and more.

Together For Palestine was the UK's largest ever fundraising concert for Gaza, with all proceeds going to Palestinian aid organisations such as the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Palestine Medical Relief Society and Taawon.