Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid email address
SIGN UP
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice
Thanks for signing up to the
Morning Headlines email
{{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}
Charlotte Church was seen leading a pro-Palestine rally in London this afternoon – two weeks after she drew criticism for singing an apparent antisemitic song.
The Welsh singer was at the front of the crowd of thousands of protesters who marched from Hyde Park to the US embassy in their call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
It took place just hours after US president Joe Biden told supporters in Philadelphia that securing a ceasefire was “looking tough” as the situation worsens in the Middle East.
Ms Church, 38, was seen smiling and posing for pictures beside banners at the march, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Her appearance comes two weeks after she denied the song “From the River to the Sea” was antisemitic following criticism for singing a rendition at a pro-Palestine fundraising concern in Caerphilly in South Wales.
RECOMMENDED
Boeing plane bursts into flames mid-flight
Russian terror threat emerges in Moscow as Putin warns of full-scale war in Europe
Zacks Investment Research
5 Forever Dividend StocksZacks Investment Research| Sponsored Sponsored
TheWalletGuru
People Born 1942-1971 Are Due a Large SurpriseTheWalletGuru| Sponsored Sponsored
Powered by Taboola Powered by Taboola
Charlotte Church said she joined the protest to ‘show solidarity with the people of Palestine for all that they are suffering through’
" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/03/09/13/SEI195223433.jpg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/03/09/13/SEI195223433.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/03/09/13/SEI195223433.jpg" data-gallery-length="4" class="i-amphtml-fill-content i-amphtml-replaced-content" pinger-seen="true">
Charlotte Church said she joined the protest to ‘show solidarity with the people of Palestine for all that they are suffering through’
(Reuters)
The song’s lyrics are a reference to the land between the Jordan River, which borders eastern Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west – and are controversial to many British Jews who see them as a call for Israel’s destruction.
Promoted stories
FunnyAnd.com
Mom Instructs Son To Keep Kicking Man's Seat, So He Turns The Tables On HerFunnyAnd.com
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Speaking at today’s event, the singer said she joined the protest to “show solidarity with the people of Palestine for all that they are suffering through”.
She added: “I am here today to call for an immediate ceasefire, to ask our government and governments all over the world to send as strong message as we possibly can. But a strong, a peaceful, a loving message, that’s what every single march that I’ve been on for Palestine has been about.
“There’s been singing there’s been drumming, yes, there’s been emotion, but in the majority that emotion has been love, has been compassion because that’s why we’re all here.
“We’re all here because we cannot bear what we’re witnessing. We cannot bear to see civilians, children, women slaughtered. And so we are here because our hearts are so full of love for the Palestinian people.”
Charlotte Church was among thousands of protesters in central London today
(Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
A large police presence was in the area with a counterprotest also organised. One man carrying a banner condemning Hamas as a terror group was arrested after holding the sign aloft as pro-Palestine activists filed past him.
The protest, one of many that have taken place in the capital at weekends, comes as some are demanding tougher action, with the cost of policing them already reaching over ￡32m.
Robin Simcox, the government’s counterextremism tsar, warned that a “permissive environment for radicalisation” was developing.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Mr Simcox said: “We will not have become an authoritarian state if London is no longer permitted to be turned into a no-go zone for Jews every weekend.”
And Daniel Sugarman, the director of public affairs at the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “Many British Jews do feel that the centre of London is unsafe for them during these marches. This includes synagogues in the area.”
Responding to Mr Simcox’s comments, a No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister would want to make clear it is very important to take people who feel this way extremely seriously and he is acutely aware of the fear and distress that many people have been feeling and communities across our country.
“That’s why he’s very clear that some of the behaviour that we’ve seen in recent weeks is unacceptable and it doesn’t reflect the values that we have as a society.”
John Rees, an organiser from the Stop the War Coalition, rejected Mr Simcox’s claims, saying it was “irresponsible” of the government to whip up what he described as unnecessary fear in Britain’s Jewish community.
A pro-Palestine protester at Saturday’s march in central London
(AFP/Getty)
He said: “Of course, if the government decides to whip up that kind of fear, then people are going to feel that, of course they are.”
A Stop The War Coalition statement read: “The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Half a million people are facing starvation, acute food shortages are affecting the whole population and Israeli forces are carrying out massacres against those in queue for basic foodstuffs.
RECOMMENDED
Jealous man who murdered housemate after spending over 150 hours spying on her jailed
Desperate search under way at landfill site for missing teen Sebastian Rogers
Health-Review24
Blood Sugar Above 100? Do This (It's Genius)Health-Review24| Sponsored Sponsored
Nugenix
GNCs #1 Testosterone Booster, Nugenix, Is Shipping Out Samples To Men Over 40 This Week! Tap HereNugenix| Sponsored Sponsored
Powered by Taboola Powered by Taboola
“Meanwhile, here in Britain, the government has escalated its attacks on the pro-Palestine movement, with Rishi Sunak resorting to the ‘mob rule’ cliche and James Cleverly calling for an end to the recent wave of protests while floating clampdowns on the right to protest.
“The combination of these two crises means there’s never been a more important time to continue our protesting. Make sure you’re on the streets as we march from Hyde Park Corner to the US embassy in Nine Elms.”
More about Jewish London Board of Deputies
Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
221Comments
1/ 4Charlotte Church joins pro-Palestine rally after antisemitism claims
Charlotte Church joins pro-Palestine rally after antisemitism claims
Charlotte Church said she joined the protest to ‘show solidarity with the people of Palestine for all that they are suffering through’
REUTERS
Charlotte Church joins pro-Palestine rally after antisemitism claims
Charlotte Church was among thousands of protesters in central London today
Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire
Charlotte Church joins pro-Palestine rally after antisemitism claims
A pro-Palestine protester at Saturday’s march in central London
AFP/Getty
Charlotte Church joins pro-Palestine rally after antisemitism claims
Charlotte Church was among thousands of protesters in central London today
Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire
CCPA Notice Promoted stories
Chaikin Analytics
Buying Nvidia? Wall Street Legend Issues Urgent A.I. Stock WarningChaikin Analytics| Sponsored Sponsored
Gundry MD
Heart Surgeon Begs Americans: "Stop Drinking This Milk Alternative"Gundry MD| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
YourPennySaver
Seniors on SS Are Now Entitled To These 12 "Kickbacks" In March (Tap For Full List)Seniors who get less than $2,348/mo with SS are now getting these 12 "Giveback" benefits in 2024YourPennySaver| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Savings Pro
Three National Banks Paying Record High Interest - See the ListSavings Pro| Sponsored Sponsored
Suggest-me
Three Los Angeles Banks Paying Record High Interest - See the ListSuggest-me| Sponsored Sponsored
Barefoot Vitality
Orthopedists Amazed: This Shoe Helps with Pain Like No OtherBarefoot Vitality| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Miami MD
Stop Putting Lotion On Your Dark Spots, Do This InsteadRenowned dark spot expert begs women to add this simple step to their morning routine immediately.Miami MD| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
CommonSearches
New Electric SUVs Come with Tiny Price Tags (Take a Look)CommonSearches| Sponsored Sponsored
news Republican Katie Britt’s SOTU rebuttal is the butt of the joke
news Surfside condo investigators reveal likely cause of collapse that killed 98
Advanced Bionutritionals
Superhuman at 70? New MIT Discovery Is Changing How We AgeHere's how an MIT scientist’s discovery is helping thousands of people live their best lives in their 70s, 80s, and beyond.Advanced Bionutritionals| Sponsored Sponsored
Read More
Cruise Chews
Finally Legal in California Everyone's Trying Cruise ChewsCruise Chews| Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Read More Comments
Collapse Comments
GoSearches
Almost-Empty Alaska Cruises Might Be Going On Clearance (Take A Look)GoSearches| Sponsored Sponsored
Super C Serum
Target Shoppers Say This Drugstore Wrinkle Cream Is Actually Worth ItSuper C Serum| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
news Police officer sexually assaulted woman during traffic stop on his first solo shift
news Peer claims bombs ‘more horrific than Hiroshima’ dropped on Palestinians
Famous Mortgage
Researchers Discover Lost Plane in Iceberg; Startled by Sudden MovementFamous Mortgage| Sponsored Sponsored
news Two women accused of driving dead man in front seat of car to bank to withdraw money
？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Subscribe
Already subscribed? Log in