Why Chris Martin’s comments to Israeli fans at a London concert stirred backlash

Coldplay just can’t seem to stay out of controversies. The band’s latest Wembley Stadium show turned into a viral moment after frontman Chris Martin called two Israeli fans onstage, and his reaction to their nationality quickly lit up social media.During a recent performance in London, Martin invited the pair, named Avia and Tal, to join him in front of the massive crowd. After asking where they were from, the women replied, “Israel.” The response from the audience was mixed, and the Coldplay singer appeared visibly uneasy.“Okay, well listen—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,” Martin told them. “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.” His remarks were met with loud cheers.Turning back to one of the women, Martin added, “Thank you for being here, I’m very happy to see you, look at your beautiful green eyes.”This interaction on the stage seemed kind and genuine to many but many were pointing out that Chris made the women on the stage conscious and uncomfortable. The video, reshared by many people, has spread like wildfire. One user wrote, "I used to enjoy their music—no more."Another one wrote, "They were my favorite band. They have ruined it for me, disgusting people." But how the string of cohesive words are interpreted is a matter of perspective. There is another side of the comment section who saw nothing wrong in what transpired in London leg of Coldplay. One user iterated, "He didn't berate them. The crowd jeered them. He said he was grateful for them and didn't care about where they were from. But because of Israel's position against Palestine he offered the olive branch to Palestinians too. He couldn't have been more even-handed if he tried."Speaking later with Israel’s Kan public broadcaster, one of the women admitted she briefly thought about hiding her identity in front of the massive crowd. “There was a split second that we considered saying we are from Malta, and then I said ‘Israel,’” she explained. “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.”