STEVE COOGAN has defended an open letter signed by thousands of artists condemning Israel and demanding humanitarian support for Gaza.

The comedian was among more than 2,000 artists, including Oscar-winning actor Tilda Swinton, Game Of Thrones star Charles Dance and Harry Potter actor Miriam Margolyes to back the call.

The letter, written by Artists For Palestine UK, calls for “an immediate ceasefire and the opening of Gaza’s crossings to allow humanitarian aid to enter unhindered.”