Chris Martin Faces Backlash After Awkward Coldplay Moment With Israeli Fans

In what was meant to be a night of music and unity,Coldplay’sChris Martin sparked outrage after an uncomfortable exchange at Wembley Stadium.

The singer’s attempt to bridge divides betweenIsraelis andPalestinians left some fans praising his words while others accused him of insensitivity.

Now, prominent voices, including longtime Coldplay devotees, are calling his remarks hurtful.

During the August 22 performance at Wembley, Martin invited two young women named Avia and Tal onto the stage.

When they revealed they were from Israel, the 90,000-strong audience reacted with a mix of cheers and boos.

Martin visibly hesitated before telling the crowd, “I’m very grateful that you’re here as humans, and I am treating you as equal humans on earth, regardless of where you come from or don’t come from.”

The Coldplay frontman then extended his words further. “Although it’s controversial, maybe, I also want to welcome people in the audience from Palestine because… out of the belief that we’re all equal humans,” he said, drawing loud applause.

For many, the sentiment was noble. However, for others, including Israeli fans who traveled the world to see Coldplay, the moment stung deeply.

Israeli American entrepreneur Yaron Samid, a self-described die-hard Coldplay fan, posted a lengthy statement expressing disappointment in Martin’s comments.

He explained that he and his wife had supported the band for over 20 years, which made the Wembley incident particularly "hurtful."

“When two young Israeli fans joined him on stage Chris says, ‘I’m treating you as equal humans on earth, regardless of where you come from.’ And ‘Although it’s controversial maybe, I also want to welcome people in the audience from Palestine,’” Samid wrote.

He added that Martin’s remarks felt like “a tactless misstep that further tears people apart and deeply hurts some of your most loyal fans.”

Samid urged the singer to reflect, suggesting his words betrayed “a growing prejudice against Israeli people that have been drawn into a war they never asked for.”

One of the young women invited on stage later described the moment in an interview with Israel’s Kan broadcaster. She admitted there was a moment when they considered hiding their nationality.

“There was a split second that we considered saying we are from Malta, and then I said ‘Israel,’” she revealed per JNS. “We couldn’t and didn’t want to lie. It was a bit scary that 90,000 people know we are from Israel, but we said it.”

Other Jewish commentators echoed her unease. Music journalist Eve Barlow wrote on X that she “cannot even begin to unpack how mortifying that moment must have been” for the two fans.

Meanwhile, philanthropist Ari Ackerman questioned the singer’s intent, asking if he was implying Israelis should feel “grateful” simply to be acknowledged as humans.

YouTuber Yaakov Langer was harsher, accusing Martin of ignoring real-world suffering.

“Coldplay invited two women on stage then berates them and makes them feel bad for … being Israeli,” he wrote, criticizing the omission of any reference to Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.

The backlash extended beyond individual fans. Casey Babb, a research fellow, blasted Martin’s performance as a failure of empathy.

He argued that instead of creating a moment of joy, the Coldplay singer turned it into one of shame. In his words, Martin transformed “what should have been a night of celebration, awe, and excitement” into “an evening of humiliation, confusion, and sadness because you lack even the most basic understanding of the things you preach.”

Babb concluded that “Instead of supporting them and treating them like you would any other fans – with dignity, respect, and kindness – you made them feel conditionally tolerated, dehumanized, and guilty of being Jewish.”

Amid the backlash, some fans defended the Coldplay frontman, noting that he meant no harm with his gesture.

One person who responded to Yaron Samid's post wrote, "Imagine being 'hurt' because an artist acknowledged Palestinians as equal humans. Offended by everything, ashamed of nothing."

Another fan shared, "I don't see this as being so terrible. Which words did you find offensive?

I took it to mean that he wants to be neutral, which for a public figure is not so bad."

A third person opined, "How is that offensive in anyway? You’re reaching."