Charlotte Church’s Big Sing was not antisemitic | Letters
I’m Jewish and attended the Big Sing in Caerphilly led by Charlotte Church (Charlotte Church denies antisemitism after singing pro-Palestinian song, 26 February). I would have noticed if the event was antisemitic. It was an exemplary singalong where ordinary people got together to call for peace and a future for the Palestinian people. In the long and noble tradition of Welsh solidarity with oppressed people all around the world, the songs were drawn from several traditions – African American spirituals, traditional Welsh songs and hymns, and Palestinian songs. The 7 October atrocity in Israel was acknowledged and abhorred, and the event was not political. The act of singing (not chanting) is a spiritual act of collective humanity, the reverse of polarising hate. Accusing Charlotte Church and the audience of antisemitism is counterproductive, negative and destructive.
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Thank you for Ben Jamal’s article (We’ve been calling for peace in Palestine – these sinister Tory proposals would silence us, 5 March). The home secretary said that the Palestine marches should stop because they had made their point. But the point has not yet been grasped. That is why I marched in London on Saturday 2 March, from Camden to Tottenham Court Road. There was good cooperation between the police and the march leaders. Speakers included Jews as well as Muslims. They expressed their views powerfully, but without hate. This needs to go on until the government calls firmly for a ceasefire.
John Bond
Oxford