Chris Martin under fire for ‘mortifying’ Israeli fans on stage: ‘You made them feel dehumanized’

WEMBLEY, ENGLAND: What began as an attempt to promote peace and unity has now ignited a heated debate across social media.

During a recent concert at Wembley Stadium, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin invited two Israeli fans, Avia and Tal, on stage after spotting their sign in the crowd. While the moment appeared heartfelt, it quickly went viral, and not for the reasons he may have intended.

Pro-Israel groups and critics slammed Martin, accusing him of failing to defend the fans when they were booed by the audience, and of using language that they say dehumanized Jews.

Chris Martin invites Israeli fans on stage at Wembley concert

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin invited two Israeli fans on stage on Sunday night, August 31.

The 48-year-old singer spotted a sign in the audience reading “We Believe in Magic”, a nod to one of the band’s songs, and brought the two women, later introduced as Avia and Tal, up to join him in front of a crowd of 90,000. According to videos shared online, the crowd responded with a mix of applause and boos.

In a message seemingly aimed at promoting unity, Martin addressed the women, “I'm going to say this: I'm very grateful that you're here as humans, and I'm treating you as equal humans on Earth regardless of where you come from or don't come from,” he said. “Thank you for being here. We're grateful. And thank you for being loving and kind.”

After reading their sign, Martin turned back to the audience and added, “Although it's controversial maybe, I also want to welcome people in the audience from Palestine, out of the belief we're all equal humans.”

That comment drew louder cheers from the crowd. Returning his attention to the two women, Martin continued, "I believe that people are human. Thank you for being here. We’re very happy to see you.” Then, noticing one of them had green eyes, he added, “Look at your beautiful green eyes. We have a song called Green Eyes. We should re-sing it for you.”

Following the concert, one of the women spoke to Israeli broadcaster Kan, revealing that she had hesitated before identifying herself as Israeli on stage.

“There was a split second that we considered saying we are from Malta, and then I said Israeli,” she said in the interview, as quoted by the Jewish Chronicle. “We couldn't and didn't want to lie. It was a bit scary that 90,000 people know we are from here, but we said it.”

Internet roars over Coldplay frontman Chris Martin’s gesture during his concert

Chris Martin’s comments during a concert involving two Israeli fans sparked outrage from members of the Jewish community, who felt he humiliated the women in front of thousands and undermined their right to be acknowledged with dignity.

Self-described Zionist journalist Eve Barlow said, "For those two Israeli Coldplay fans, 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. F**king hell."

Jewish YouTuber Yaakov Langer slammed after describing the moment, "Coldplay invited two women on stage then berates them and makes them feel bad for…being Israeli. He didn’t mention the hostages being held by Hamas. He didn’t actually treat them like human beings. Disgusting."

Casey Babb, a research fellow, blasted Martin with a lengthy tweet writing, "you made them feel conditionally tolerated, dehumanized, and guilty of being Jewish." He concluded with a piece of advice after sharing the historical background of Jews and Israel, "What should have been a night of celebration, awe, and excitement was likely turned into an evening of humiliation, confusion, and sadness because you lack even the most basic understanding of the things you preach. The next time you come across Jews or Israelis – please – for the love of God – do better."

Israeli-American technology expert and Israeli Coldplay fan Yaron Samid wrote, "This was a tactless misstep that further tears people apart and deeply hurts some of your most loyal fans. 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."

The disappointed fan continued, "A people that were brutally slaughtered, raped and burnt alive by Palestinians while dancing at a peace music festival similar to yours, and that are still held hostage nearly two years later while you’re on stage patronizing two of our sisters."

An X user added, "Imagine being “hurt” because an artist acknowledged Palestinians as equal humans. Offended by everything, ashamed of nothing."

A commenter shared, "This is terrible. We go to concerts/events to escape reality and relax, not to discuss controversial politics."

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