Charlotte Church says she is ‘no way antisemitic’ after leading ‘from the river’ stunt
Welsh singer led 100-strong choir in anti-Israel chant which she called a ‘powerful symbol of resistance’
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Charlotte Church claims she “in no way antisemitic” after being criticised for leading a 100-strong choir in a rendition of anti-Israel chant ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free’ at a concert.
Following criticism of the stunt, Church addressed “alarmist” reports relating to the event on Instagram.
She said: “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. [They] can’t have such a powerful symbol of resistance as what we worked towards on Saturday.”
The Welsh-born singer confirmed the gig had ended with a chant of the words “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” – a call for Israel’s destruction and removal of its seven million Jewish inhabitants.
The event took place on Saturday at Bedwas Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly county, to raise money for Middle East Children’s Alliance, which supports children in Gaza.
Church was joined by Palestine Solidarity Cymru and 100 singers.
She said on Monday: “Clearly, if you know the history of it all, [it is] 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.”
Church said “lots of other beautiful songs… of liberation and freedom” were performed at the event, including Arabic songs, Welsh songs, and South African songs from the anti-apartheid movement, “the lyrics of which were adapted to the situation in Palestine”.
Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain was among those to condemn the stunt, posting on X: “Dear Charlotte Church: Let me translate for you – when you say ‘From the river to the sea’ it means expelling Jews from the Jordan to the Mediterranean i.e. from the Land of Israel entirely and destroying a nation.”
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