Cillian Murphy & Billie Eilish Among Stars Voicing Support For Palestine

Cillian Murphy, Nicola Coughlan, Billie Eilish, Brian Cox, and Joaquin Phoenix were among the stars who made powerful statements at the Together for Palestine concert in the UK this week.

Irish actor Nicola appeared in person at the event which saw dozens of celebrities take to the stage to raise money for those living in Gaza.

“There are many artists that I love, and that I know you love, that have hundreds of millions of followers, and they’re saying nothing in this moment,” Nicola said during her speech as she implored more people to raise awareness about the crisis in Gaza.

This week, the UN found that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

 

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Ruth Negga was also in attendance on the night making a powerful speech alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and Amer Hlehel.

Ahead of the gig, Cillian Murphy, Chris O’Dowd, Catríona Balfe, Annie Mac, Sharon Horgan, Denise Gough and Laura Whitmore appeared in a video to share their support for the fundraising event.

In the video, Steve Coogan said: “It’s important to speak out now, not when this is over, right now, while it’s happening.

“Pressurise your government, lend your support to those who are peacefully campaigning, call for a ceasefire, stop the killing.”

 

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Succession star Brian Cox added: “We have to tell the truth on behalf of the people of Palestine.”

English author Michael Wayne Rosen continued: “We know that the leaders of this country are complicit in the mass murder of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.”

“It’s always been the artist’s role in society to speak out, to risk speaking truth to power,” American activist Nan Goldin said.

The video featured the stars saying Together for Palestine in languages including Irish, English, Spanish, Arabic, and Urdu.

 

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Other celebrities in the video include Billie Eilish and her brother FINNEAS, Joaquin Phoenix, Penélope Cruz, Malala Yousafzai, and Peter Gabriel.

Blur frontman Damon Albarn, PinkPantheress, Bastille, Jamie xx, Louis Theroux, Benedict Cumberbatch and Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos and Palestinian artists all appeared on stage on the night.

The ticket proceeds for Wednesday night’s sold-out event went to Palestinian organisations through Choose Love, a UK charity supporting humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

Among the groups it is fundraising for are the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), Palestinian Medical Relief Society, and Taawon, which runs orphan care programs in Gaza.

The actress and activist Jameela Jamil announced the show had raised £1.5 million (€1.73 million), according to the Guardian.