On 27 September, the Artists for Gaza All-Stars took over Scala's main stage to perform together in solidarity with Health Workers 4 Palestine: Paul Weller, Suggs and members of Madness, Kevin Rowland with members of Dexys, Jerry Dammers, joined on vocals by Lisa Moorish, Leah Weller and Russia Neumann, and percussionist Snowboy, under the musical direction of Clive Langer of Deaf School. Rarely has such a gathering of British legends shared one stage. It was an unforgettable night that will go down in history. Beyond the main stage, over 40 DJs played across four rooms, including Paul Simonon, reggae legend Festus Coxsone, DJs Femi Fem, Princess Julia and many more.
This was our fifth event. The first three raised funds for UNICEF's Gaza Appeal. Our fourth and fifth are supporting HW4P, a UK charity co-founded in October 2023 by a group of doctors to stand up for Palestinian health workers and the right to healthcare. The money raised goes into its Gaza Medics Solidarity Fund, which helps rebuild maternity wards, run mobile clinics and pay stipends to doctors in Gaza.
To keep supporting us, pick up an event T-shirt from our shop: a limited-edition, collectable item for years to come, branded with our iconic logo designed by Neville Brody. We're also offering a signed event poster by the Artists for Gaza All-Stars for £250.
Image by Mark Hodgson
Artists for Gaza is a collective of cultural workers from the UK standing with the Palestinian people in their struggle for statehood and emancipation. Since the Nakba in 1948 when half of the population were displaced from their homes with no right of return, they have endured decades of suffering under illegal occupation, ethnic cleansing and genocide. Together with other grassroots organisations made up of ordinary citizens, we mobilise solidarity and protest this injustice.
Through music and culture, we amplify Palestinian voices through our public platforms because we believe in "Never Again" as a universal principle that applies to all humans without exception, as the UN affirmed when it adopted the Genocide Convention in December 1948.
Rooted in the traditions of Rock Against Racism and the Anti-Apartheid Movement, our campaign shows that art and music can move people to confront political and social injustice. Many of our collaborators have long histories of commitment to solidarity work and anti-racism.
Artists for Gaza is a cultural front of resistance. Silence in the face of genocide is not an option. It is our moral duty to resist any narrative that ranks our human family, deciding whose life counts and whose does not.
Image by Hosny Salah
"The world needs more love, empathy, and humility. We need to stop all wars. Enough killing. Love is the key."
— David Beer.