Charlotte Church denies being anti-Semitic after singer is criticized for protest song during pro-Palestine concert

CHARLOTTE Church has denied being anti-Semitic after taking part in a controversial chant.

Church38, was heavily criticized after she led a 100-person choir in a rendition of From the River to the Sea at a concert.

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It refers to Israel, which lies between the Jordan River in the east and the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

The chant is highly controversial because many people see it as a call for the destruction of the state of Israel.

British Jews left-wing activists have repeatedly warned that the song is popular terrorist groups – expresses a desire to see Israel destroyed.

It follows outrage last week activists beamed the text to the Big Ben towerwhich gave rise to arguments about democracy and rule of the crowd.

This is disputed by organizations such as the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, which say the slogan refers to “the right of all Palestinians to freedom, equality and justice”.

Church spoke in a live broadcast about what she called “alarmist” messages Instagram Today.

She said: “Just to make my intentions clear there, I am not anti-Semitic in any way. I fight for the liberation of all people. I have a deep heart for all religions and all differences.

“It was a beautiful, beautiful event. But unfortunately those in power cannot have that. [They] I cannot have such a powerful symbol of resistance as what we worked towards on Saturday.”

Church confirmed that the performance ended with the singing of the words “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.

She said: “Obviously, if you see the history of all this, [it is] no anti-Semitic chant calling for the destruction of Israel. It is not in any way shape or form. It calls for the peaceful coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians.”

Church added that “many other beautiful songs… of liberation and freedom” were also performed at the event, including Arabic songs, Welsh songs and South African songs from the anti-Apartheid movement, “the lyrics of which were adapted to the situation . in Palestine”.

Children were among those singing, clapping and stomping on the stage at the Bedwas Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly.

Ex-child star soprano Charlotte, 38, wrapped herself in one keffiyeh scarfwhich has become a symbol for British supporters Palestinian solidarity.

She told the crowd of 150 people: “Many of us are feeling a lot of emotions.

“This is a safe space to just breathe and sing and get it all out.”

She then sang a song called Stop the Occupation and received a bottle of champagne as a thank you after a 40-minute set.

It was given to her in the presence of a giant Palestine flag by choir director Wendy Lewis, who accused Israel of genocide and urged ticket holders to boycott Israeli goods.

The event raised money for the Middle East Children’s Alliance charity.

The Campaign against anti-Semitism wants the Charity Commission to investigate.

It told The Sun: “Charlotte Church is at best tone deaf, but at worst she uses her voice to fan the flames of hatred.

“You can’t stoop any lower than using your star status to teach children to sing extremist lyrics in a village hall.”

It said the song was genocidal, adding: “The singing is not standing up for human rights.”

Jewish MP Andrew Percy, who said he felt safer in Israel than in Britain, described Charlotte’s singing along as “very worrying”.

He told The Sun: “Those who took part had to hang their heads in shame.”

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