Welsh singer Charlotte Church, on Monday, said that she does not hold any anti-Semitic sentiments after she was involved in a concert that included a contentious pro-Palestinian chant.
Church was leading a choir of around 100 people as they performed a rendition of “from the river to the sea” at a gig she co-organised with a Welsh choir. The performance was targeted to raise money for a charity, the Middle East Children’s Alliance.
However, the singer faced criticisms after she used the chant which is viewed by some pro-Israel supporters as a way to call for the eradication of the Israeli state.
Meanwhile, some of the pro-Palestinian supporters said that the chant only expresses the need for equality for all inhabitants of Palestine.
Church addressed “alarmist” reports in a live Instagram broadcast. “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,” she said.
“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.”
Even though the event ended with chants of “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” she claimed that it’s not antisemitic.
“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 mentioned that the event featured “numerous other beautiful songs… celebrating liberation and freedom,” including Arabic, Welsh, and South African songs from the anti-Apartheid movement, with lyrics “adjusted to reflect the situation in Palestine.”
Church appeared on a podcast on Monday where she said that she stands by everything they sand at the event.
“It was a deeply spiritual experience for me and I would do it again 100 times – and plan to,” she said.
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