Glastonbury Festival has been marked by widespread calls from musicians and audiences alike to end the violence in Palestine. AP
Glastonbury Festival has been marked by widespread calls from musicians and audiences alike to end the violence in Palestine. AP
Glastonbury Festival has been marked by widespread calls from musicians and audiences alike to end the violence in Palestine. AP
Glastonbury Festival has been marked by widespread calls from musicians and audiences alike to end the violence in Palestine. AP

From Kneecap to Jade Thirlwall, Palestine has been Glastonbury's loudest refrain


William Mullally
  • English
  • Arabic

Pro-Palestinian activism was once again a prominent presence at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, with performing artists amplifying calls to end what many describe as a “genocide” in Gaza.

Concluding on Sunday at the UK’s Worthy Farm, the influential festival, which was attended by more than 200,000 people, was marked by widespread calls from musicians and audiences alike to end the ongoing violence.

Social media reaction globally has been dominated by the movement, with many clips of Palestinian flags and “free Palestine” chants going viral across the world.

Here are eight artists who voiced their support.

Nilufer Yanya

Nilufer Yanya displays a banner across the stage calling for a free Palestine. Getty Images
Nilufer Yanya displays a banner across the stage calling for a free Palestine. Getty Images

British singer Nilufer Yanya performed at Glastonbury on Saturday, displaying a banner across stage voicing her support for the Palestinian cause.

"More action, more noise, less fear, free Palestine," Yanya's banner read.

Nadine Shah

Nadine Shah performs in front of a large image of Gaza on the Other Stage during day five of Glastonbury festival 2025. Getty Images
Nadine Shah performs in front of a large image of Gaza on the Other Stage during day five of Glastonbury festival 2025. Getty Images

British singer-songwriter Nadine Shah displayed images of Gaza behind her during her Other Stage performance on Sunday. Shah ended her set in tears, playing voice notes from Palestinian children over the loud speakers, with many saying: "I'm still alive".

Amyl and the Sniffers

Amy Taylor, right, is the lead singer of Australian rock band Amyl and the Sniffers. EPA
Amy Taylor, right, is the lead singer of Australian rock band Amyl and the Sniffers. EPA

Australian rock band Amyl and the Sniffers performed at the festival's second stage on Saturday. After playing the song Chewing Gum, the band's lead singer Amy Taylor took a moment to speak to the audience.

“I want to take the time to say something political,” Taylor said.

Taylor then lamented the fact that she wasn't educated about situations such as Palestine growing up in Australia.

Ncuti Gatwa

Ncuti Gatwa introduces Jade Thirwall during day four of Glastonbury festival 2025. WireImage
Ncuti Gatwa introduces Jade Thirwall during day four of Glastonbury festival 2025. WireImage

British actor Ncuti Gatwa, who rose to fame playing The Doctor on the long-running BBC series Doctor Who, introduced Jade Thirlwall wearing a neon Choose Love jumper.

The UK charity Choose Love recently initiated an open letter signed by more than 300 public figures, including Benedict Cumberbatch, calling on the British government to cease what they describe as its “complicity in the horrors in Gaza".

Choose Love held a vigil in May outside the UK's houses of parliament in which prominent figures read the names of children of Gaza who were killed during the Israel-Gaza War.

Jade Thirlwall

Jade Thirwall performs during day four of Glastonbury festival 2025. WireImage
Jade Thirwall performs during day four of Glastonbury festival 2025. WireImage

Jade Thirlwall, the English singer behind the 2024 song Angel of My Dreams, performed on the Woodsies stage on Sunday.

During her set, she led the audience in a call-and-response in which she denounced the UK government for "justifying genocide" in Gaza.

CMAT

Irish singer CMAT started a 'free, free Palestine' chant after her Glastonbury set. Getty Images
Irish singer CMAT started a 'free, free Palestine' chant after her Glastonbury set. Getty Images

Irish singer Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, known as CMAT, finished her set on the Pyramid Stage on Friday with a call for solidarity with Palestine.

The artist, 32, is best known for her songs I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby! and Stay for Something. Her next album, Euro-Country, is due for an August release.

“Thank you so much, have a great festival and free Palestine,” CMAT said on stage to the roar of the crowd. The artist then started a “free, free Palestine” call-and-response chant before blowing a kiss to to the sizeable audience.

Inhaler

Inhaler's Elijah Hewson, who spoke out for Palestine, is the son of U2 frontman Bono. EPA
Inhaler's Elijah Hewson, who spoke out for Palestine, is the son of U2 frontman Bono. EPA

Elijah Hewson, lead singer of Dublin band Inhaler and son of U2 frontman Bono and activist Alison Hewson, spoke out against the “genocide” of the Gazan people during his Other Stage set on Friday.

“I'd like to dedicate this next song to the people of Palestine. To any innocent people being starved or bombed or genocided for the sake of some lunatics,” said Hewson, 25.

“I feel like we have to say that because I think our greatest strength is freedom of expression, and there's no better place for it than right here at Glastonbury. So be kind to each other and have a great time.”

Bob Vylan

Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set included numerous calls for a 'free Palestine'. Getty Images
Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set included numerous calls for a 'free Palestine'. Getty Images

Bobby Vylan of the English punk duo Bob Vylan (consisting of two members with the same name) was the most vocal activist of the night, delivering a long speech during his Saturday set on the West Holts stage in support of Palestine.

Vylan said on stage: “We're seeing some messed up things happening in the world. We're seeing the UK and US being complicit in war crimes and genocide happening over there to the Palestinian people.

“I know we're on the BBC so we don't want to say anything crazy. But we have seen, unfortunately, a strange reaction to people that come out and voice support for Palestine. Even though anybody with any kind of moral compass can surely tell that what is happening over there in Gaza is a tragedy.”

Vylan also led the crowd in numerous pro-Palestinian chants, dedicating the set to acts who are “losing their platform to speak up for the Palestinian people and speak against the crimes that Israel and the UK and the US and much of the western world are complicit” in.

“This is for Murder Capital, this is for Kneecap, this is for Amyl and the Sniffers. Every single band out there using their platform to speak up for the Palestinian people. Because we must pray, hope and wish for a day when the Palestinian people are liberated and free from the tyranny of the Israeli government.”

Some of Vylan's other on-stage comments sparked controversy, leading Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis to issue a statement condemning the bandmember's more inflammatory statements.

Eavis wrote: “As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in – and actively campaign for – hope, unity, peace and love.

“With almost 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer’s presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs.

“However, we are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday. Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.”

Kneecap

Mo Chara of Kneecap, which released a video of public figures speaking out against the pro-Palestinian group. EPA
Mo Chara of Kneecap, which released a video of public figures speaking out against the pro-Palestinian group. EPA

Irish rap group Kneecap performed on the West Holts stage on Saturday, overcoming an alleged secret campaign from UK music industry professionals to remove the group from the line-up.

While the performance was not aired part of the BBC's live broadcast of the event, their set was well attended and featured an impassioned audience waving dozens of Palestinian flags.

“There's no hiding it. Israel are war criminals. It's a genocide. Free Palestine,” said Kneecap member Mo Chara on stage.

Hours later, the group released their introduction video compiling clips of politicians and public figures speaking out against them on their social media channels, saying “the crowd was so big, a good few heads couldn't see it so here you go”, adding a popcorn emoji.

Jordan Stephens

The Rizzle Kicks musician invited his mother to the stage, who was wearing a keffiyeh and holding a Palestinian flag. Getty Images
The Rizzle Kicks musician invited his mother to the stage, who was wearing a keffiyeh and holding a Palestinian flag. Getty Images

English musician Jordan Stephens, best known as one half of the group Rizzle Kicks and as the presenter of the ITV2 panel series Don't Hate the Playaz, invited his mother to the stage to dance during his Other Stage performance on Friday.

His mother both wore a keffiyeh and waved the Palestinian flag, which received a strong response from the audience.

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

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Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

The stats

Ship name: MSC Bellissima

Ship class: Meraviglia Class

Delivery date: February 27, 2019

Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT

Passenger capacity: 5,686

Crew members: 1,536

Number of cabins: 2,217

Length: 315.3 metres

Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)

While you're here
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Match info:

Manchester City 2
Sterling (8'), Walker (52')

Newcastle United 1
Yedlin (30')

THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

The biog

Age: 46

Number of Children: Four

Hobby: Reading history books

Loves: Sports

Most F1 world titles

7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)

7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)

5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)

4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)

4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)

If you go

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.

The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Updated: July 01, 2025, 4:42 AM`