LONDON, Sept18, 2025 — Actor Benedict Cumberbatch delivered a poignant recitation of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish’s “On This Land There Are Reasons to Live” at the “Together for Palestine” concert held at OVO Arena Wembley. The event, which drew 12,000 attendees, raised over $2 million for Palestinian-led humanitarian organizations in Gaza, marking one of the largest cultural fundraising efforts for the region in the UK.
Darwish, often hailed as the “voice of Palestinians,” passed away in 2008, but his poetry continues to resonate amidst the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. His work, characterized by themes of resilience and resistance, has gained renewed attention as the region faces significant humanitarian challenges, with the United Nations reporting over 41,000 deaths in Gaza since October 2023.
The concert featured a star-studded lineup, including performances by Damon Albarn, PinkPantheress, and others, alongside speeches calling for a ceasefire and tributes to over 270 Palestinian journalists killed since the conflict escalated. Funds were directed through Choose Love, amidst a war that has drawn international condemnation, including a recent UN commission finding reasonable grounds to conclude Israel committed genocide in Gaza—a claim Israel categorically rejects.
Online reactions to the event have been mixed, with some praising its humanitarian focus while others criticize its silence on the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and the fate of Israeli hostages. The “Together for Palestine” initiative, curated by Brian Eno, underscores a broader cultural movement advocating for peace and aid in the region, amidst ongoing global debates over the conflict’s complexities.