Coldplay went viral on social media again, and not in a good way:
Coldplay’s Chris Martin blasted after ‘mortifying’ and ‘dehumanizing’ Israeli fans on stage https://t.co/h85JW2RsLN pic.twitter.com/A0RSeFJWN6
— New York Post (@nypost) September 2, 2025
From the New York Post:
Coldplay’s Chris Martin sparked outrage after he invited young Israeli fans to join him on stage in the UK and noted that they are “equal humans on Earth,” while also welcoming the Palestinians in the crowd.
A viral clip of the interaction shows the two nervous fans on stage with Martin at London’s Wembley Stadium Sunday night, drawing a mix of boos, groans and some applause from the sold-out crowd.
“I’m going to say this. I’m very grateful that you’re here as humans. We are treating you as equal humans on Earth, regardless of where you come from,” Martin, sitting at a piano, tells them.
“Thank you for being here. We’re grateful and thank you for being loving and kind.
“Although it’s controversial, maybe, I also want to welcome people in the audience from Palestine,” he then says, prompting the crowd to erupt in cheers. “I believe that we’re all equally human.”
Gee, thanks for acknowledging that Israelis are human, Chris. Real big of ya.
Yaakov Langer, who is mentioned in the Post's coverage, shared the video and had this to say:
Coldplay invited two women on stage then berates them and makes them feel bad for…being Israeli.
— Yaakov Langer (@jacklanger) September 1, 2025
He didn’t mention the hostages being held by Hamas.
He didn’t actually treat them like human beings.
Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/m6D60mQYhg
Yea, the message definitely didn't come off well.
To extend a little bit of grace, the crowd DID boo (and shame on them for that) when the fans identified themselves as being from Israel, and maybe that got Martin a little rattled. Still, he's been performing live for decades now, how hard would it have been for him to stop at "thank you for coming to the show"? Instead he had to ramble on in an extremely misguided attempt to appear fair.
While we appreciate that Coldplay’s Chris Martin (sort of) attempted to be kind to two Israeli fans, he still unnecessarily politicized the moment, signaling them out in a way he would not have done for fans of any other nationality.
— Maccabee Task Force (@MacTaskForce) September 1, 2025
Israelis should be allowed to celebrate… pic.twitter.com/T18FVZEkFL
The post continued:
...their identity on stage without having to be reassured by a celebrity that they're "human". That shouldn't have to be said.If Chris Martin wanted to lecture someone, it should have been the fans who boo'd, not the Israeli fans who merely came to enjoy a concert.Have a backbone, Coldplay.
Yep, lecture the rude people in the crowd, NOT the fans who should have been allowed to enjoy one of the most thrilling moment of their lives. Their existence did not need to be justified.
Music is for everyone, period.