Two Israeli fans called up on stage during a Coldplay concert on Sunday at Wembley Stadium in London received a mixed reaction from the crowd after saying they were from Israel.
“For a quarter of a second, we thought of saying Malta,” one of the two fans told KAN 11 during an interview afterwards.
“But then I said Israel. We couldn’t and didn’t want to lie. It’s a little scary that 90,000 people knew we’re from there, but we said it,” she added.
In the viral video, Avia and Yael, as they identified themselves when asked by lead singer Chris Martin, said they were from Israel, prompting both applause and boos from the crowd.
“I’m very grateful that you’re here, as a human, and I’m treating you as an equal human on earth, regardless of where you come from or don’t come from,” said Martin with the fans still on the stage.
“Although it’s controversial, maybe, I also want to welcome people in the audience from Palestine. Because we have a belief that we’re all equal humans,” he added.
Coldplay’s special relationship with Israel
Martin’s remarks drew ire from some pro-Israel social media influencers who felt he both embarrassed the fans in front of thousands of people and belittled their right to exist.
“I cannot even begin to unpack how mortifying that moment must have been. Imagine being called up to be celebrated as fans of your favorite band, and it is turned into an opportunity to qualify your existence in front of an audience of tens of thousands,” Eve Barlow posted on X/Twitter.
Podcaster Yaakov Langer called Martin’s comments “disgusting.”
“Coldplay invited two women on stage, then berates them and makes them feel bad for… being Israeli,” he wrote in a post. “He didn’t mention the hostages being held by Hamas. He didn’t actually treat them like human beings.”
“Chris, you’ve always seemed to be a kind, loving person that used music to bring people together,” wrote Israeli Coldplay fan Yaron Samid.
“This was a tactless misstep that further tears people apart and deeply hurts some of your most loyal fans,” he continued. “I hope you can take a quiet moment to look back at your choice of words and realize they came from a place of growing prejudice against Israeli people that have been drawn into a war they never asked for.”
Coldplay has a strong connection with Israel, with Martin and his bandmates having visited the country before.
During one of his last concerts in Greece, thousands of Israelis chanted for the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Hannah Brown contributed to this report.