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LONDON, 17 Sept. - (ANA) - "I was deeply honoured to be invited to design the Together for Palestine event," Malak Mattar, UK-based Palestinian artist, told The New Arab.

"The organisers were familiar with my work and its focus on Palestinian identity and resilience. They reached out because they felt my art could visually represent the spirit of resistance, beauty, culture and hope that the event stands for."

British musician and producer Brian Eno is hosting the major benefit concert for Gaza at London's Wembley Arena on 17 September.

Together for Palestine aims to raise humanitarian funds and encourage artists to speak out against Israel's ongoing siege and bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Choose Love, a UK charity supporting humanitarians in conflict zones, has accumulated ten years of experience in supporting refugees and people in crisis.

"We got involved because our model is that we raise funds and we grant those funds to local organisations. We came on board to be that conduit to add our name to the incredible lineup of people, to be standing in solidarity," Josie continued.

"I think, in this moment, when people can feel so helpless and heartbroken, and organisations from Human Rights Watch to MSF are calling it a genocide, it's been the moment for a very long time, when many are compelled to do whatever they can to help," she added.

"I think that the concert is a way for the artists to take that stand. It's the least we can all do. We all wish that we could do more. The world is feeling more unstable than ever. There are more displaced people than ever before. And we really believe that the solution is not the old models of aid. The solution lies in resourcing local communities and pollinating the ecosystems, not only to survive, but to thrive."

From pop band Bastille, singer and former Blur leader Damon Albarn, new London neo-soul sensation Greentea Peng, singer James Blake, Jamie xx, Mabel, Obongjayar, Paloma Faith, Rachel Chinouriri, Nadine Shah and the Bristol-based band Portishead via a special live recording.

British actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Guy Pearce, actress and activist Jameela Jameel and documentary-maker and podcast host Louis Theroux were also recently added to the list. They will be joined by Chicken Shop Date creator and host Amelia Dimoldenberg, musicians Leigh-Anne, Celeste and Bridgerton actress Charithra Chandran. Rina Sawayama, PinkPantheress and Riz Ahmed will take the stage for other one-off contributions.

Talking more about his involvement, Damon Albarn said he "felt despair and helplessness at the reports coming out of Gaza and the West Bank over these last days, months and years", and "a genocide unfolding in real time on our screens."

Palestinian artists include Adnan Joubran, Faraj Suleiman and Nai Barghouti, as well as Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna and Palestinian Algerian sensation Saint-Levant.

Some will perform songs, others have promised unique collaborations, and some will play new material created especially for this event.

Brian Eno's fellow concert organisers include Khaled Ziada, founder and director of the London Palestine Film Festival; British actor and activist Khalid Abdalla of Kite Runner and The Crown fame; and Victoria & Abdul producer Tracey Seaward.

"In a world where governments and mainstream media have fallen silent in the face of genocide, this gathering becomes a chorus of resistance – where artists and communities come together to grieve, to rage and to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Palestinian people," Khaled said.

Their board's chairwoman, Vivian Khalaf, says that, as "PCRF's work is rooted in human connection, and cultural events like this allow us to extend that connection across borders, this concert is more than a fundraiser, it is a moment of global solidarity."

Vivian told The New Arab: "When we learned about Together for Palestine, we immediately recognised a powerful opportunity to unite through music, art, and shared purpose," adding, "These platforms give voice to those who have been silenced and create meaningful spaces for solidarity.

"We were introduced to the organisers through trusted partners who have long supported our mission. From the very beginning, the alignment was clear, and the collaboration has grown naturally out of a shared commitment to justice and community."

On 17 September, the Palestinian charities involved in the event will share their work and impact, and invite people to become part of their journey, but their engagement doesn't end there, Vivian added.

"We are committed to strengthening our presence in the UK and Europe, building partnerships, and expanding our work," she told The New Arab.

"This event is a starting point… a way to forge lasting relationships, launch new initiatives, and grow a community of supporters who will stand with Palestinian children for the long term."

Music has always played a vital role in resistance, she continued. "It transcends politics, connects people emotionally, and builds empathy. No single act can solve the crisis, but events like this contribute to the broader movement for justice and dignity. They send a powerful message to Palestinians: ‘You are not alone, your voices are heard, and the world stands with you.' That matters deeply."

For Malak Attar, the role consisted of curating and selecting Palestinian artworks and creating a visual narrative that connects people emotionally to Palestine beyond headlines and statistics. She is designing the stage with Es Devlin Studio.

"Through art, I aim to bring the human stories, the beauty, and the struggle of Gaza to the forefront, as well as honouring the artists and intellectuals killed by Israel," Malak told The New Arab.

"For this event, I envisioned immersive visuals — artworks that accompany the performances and talks, creating a space that reminds everyone of why we are gathering: to keep Gaza alive in our collective consciousness."

Malak has had an impressive creative year in the UK in 2024/25, with numerous recognitions for her work. But she never stopped using her platform and voice to raise awareness about the abhorrent crises in Palestine and genocide in Gaza.

"This past year in the UK has been transformative yet difficult," she confessed. "I've been invited to showcase my work in spaces that amplify voices for justice. Every exhibition, talk, or project I've done has been rooted in the responsibility I feel as a Palestinian artist during a time of genocide in Gaza," she adds.

Last month, Brian Eno also formed a syndicate to protect artists who are protesting Israel's attack on Gaza, along with other British bands, including the Bristol-based collective Massive Attack, Irish punk band Fontaines DC and the Northern Irish rappers of Kneecap.

Meanwhile, other artists are mobilising for fundraising. A Gig For Gaza, featuring Paul Weller, Primal Scream, Inhaler and more, is also scheduled for 17 October at the Troxy in East London.

Curated by Paul Weller, this benefit concert follows the success of last year's Gig for Gaza at Brixton Academy, which featured performances by himself, Kneecap, Primal Scream, Paloma Faith, and Liam Bailey, raising over £125,000 for aid efforts.

"Every penny raised from the evening will go directly to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and Gaza Forever – two highly respected organisations providing essential on-the-ground support in Gaza," the organisers wrote in a statement.

"We at Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) are so grateful to Paul Weller and the team for returning to fundraise for us once again with a Gig for Gaza, following the tremendous success of last year's show," Zahra Yassine, Community and Challenge Events Manager at MAP, told The New Arab.

"We want to give a special shout-out to all of the artists performing and the fans attending. We could not continue our vital and life-saving work without you. From all of us at MAP in Palestine, Lebanon and the UK, thank you."

MAP's work includes delivering food parcels, critical medical supplies, and emergency shelter to civilians facing the devastating impact of ongoing conflict, while also developing local capacity and skills to ensure the long-term development of the Palestinian healthcare system.

Billy Bragg is also hosting Days Like These, a special benefit concert for Amos Trust's Gaza appeal at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on Saturday 20 September, from 6 pm.

The event brings together a lineup of music, poetry and spoken word, with performances from Bragg himself, Jamie Webster, Antony Szmierek, Reverend & The Makers and Big Special.

Others taking part include actor and activist Khalid Abdalla, Palestinian journalist and human rights activist Yara Eid, playwright and director Ahmed Masoud, and actor and theatre director Samuel West.

Most of these activists insist that what's happening in Gaza is not only a humanitarian catastrophe, it is "a defining test of global conscience," as Vivian described it.

"Every day, children are losing their homes, their health, and in too many cases, their lives. The world cannot look away," she told The New Arab.

"And to anyone reading this: your role matters. Whether through donating, volunteering, amplifying the truth, or simply refusing to be silent, you have the power to stand with these children. Together, we can turn solidarity into action, and action into lasting change."

For artists like Malak Attar, such events are an occasion for people "to leave inspired and committed to Palestine and justice, not just for a day but for the long term."

"Is it enough? Maybe not on its own — but combined with art, education, and activism, it becomes a force for change," she told The New Arab.

Melissa Chemam is a French Algerian freelance journalist and culture writer based between Paris, Bristol and Marseille, and travelling beyond. - (ANA) -