PALESTINE supporters in Wales hit back today at accusations that singer Charlotte Church was anti-semitic for singing at a Gaza fundraiser.
The accusations were made in the Daily Mail and Sun newspapers after Ms Church and a choir of 100 people sang from the River to the Sea at a weekend concert in Bedwas, Caerphilly, raising over £3,000 for Gaza.
Taking to social media, Ms Church said she was in no way anti-semitic: “I am fighting for the liberation of all people,” she said.
“It was a beautiful, beautiful event. But unfortunately, the powers that be can’t have that.”
Clive Haswell of Cardiff Palestine Solidarity Campaign, a co-sponsor of the event, said: “We are delighted to be associated with Charlotte Church, who is an outstanding campaigner for Gaza.
“She is remarkable in her courage in protesting [for] Palestinian rights and taking on the pro-Israel lobby.
“Apartheid in Israel is unacceptable.”
Cor Cochion Caerdydd/Cardiff Red Choir leader Wendy Lewis organised the concert, attended by around 450 people, after Ms Church had tried to organise a fundraising event for charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.
“I said let’s do it in Bedwas as we have a long tradition of holding solidarity events at the working men’s hall,” she said.
“This was not anti-semitic but was a joyous and inclusive event attended by people of all faiths including Jewish people and Muslims, young and old.”
When asked by the Star about whether the accusation of anti-semitism against Ms Church was being used to shut down debate and protest about the ongoing slaughter in Gaza, Ms Lewis responded that: “From the river to the sea is a trigger for some people and as a Jewish woman I do not see it in that way.”