Coldplay frontman Chris Martin sparked cheers and boos at Wembley after two fans revealed they were from Israel, prompting him to preach human equality — but critics noted his silence on Hamas hostages.
At Coldplay’s sold-out Sunday concert at Wembley Stadium, a surprise moment thrust politics into the spotlight. Lead singer Chris Martin invited two women on stage — later identified as Avia and Yael from Israel — sparking an immediate split reaction from the massive 90,000-strong crowd.
When the women answered “Israel” to Martin’s question about their nationality, sections of the audience erupted in applause while others booed.
Martin attempted to diffuse the tension with a message of inclusivity:
👉 “I’m very grateful that you’re here, as human, and I’m treating you as equal humans on earth, regardless of where you come from, or don’t come from.”
He then added a nod to Palestinian fans in the audience:
👉 “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.”
Yet, despite his call for equality, Martin did not mention the hostages still held by Hamas, a silence that many criticized afterward.
Speaking to Kan 11 News, Avia and Yael admitted they hesitated before answering honestly:
👉 “For a quarter of a second we thought of saying Malta, 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.”
Martin has previously visited Israel, but Coldplay has never performed there. In 2017, rumors circulated about “peace concerts” for Israelis and Palestinians, but the band denied the reports.
The Wembley incident now adds another chapter to the intersection of music, politics, and Middle East tensions — with fans still divided on whether Martin’s words were brave diplomacy or shallow neutrality.
