00:00I'm used to my music being criticised
00:03and I'm always happy to take that
00:05because I'm lucky a lot of you like my stuff
00:08and to be honest I'm surprised
00:10I'm not surprised that other people don't
00:12it's normal
00:13but this week the criticism was about something much more important
00:17and I've had to take and make difficult decisions
00:20and I am making mistakes
00:21and I'm so, so sorry
00:24I don't want to disappoint fans
00:26and I've never wanted to be an activist musician
00:29but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument
00:32about freedom of speech
00:34and the most complex political issue on the planet
00:44My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone
00:48and that matters hugely to me
00:51Honouring my commitment to my fans
00:53is also completely essential to who I am
00:56and that is why I'm here tonight
00:58on my own
00:59and continuing my current tour
01:07but I am deeply worried about the idea
01:11that venues should pre-approve content of performers
01:14this happens in so many places that I perform around the world
01:17but it should never happen in the free world
01:24Now, I want to address the question of where I stand in the situation in Israel and Palestine
01:30and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand
01:33I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind
01:37because I want my music and shows to be about unity, not division
01:41about humanity, not politics
01:48but this is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore
01:53What happened in Israel and at the Linova Music Festival on October 7th was horrific
01:59and compounded centuries of Jewish pain
02:01What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportional
02:09My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians lives
02:15of children's lives
02:17and the systemic injustice we are seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked
02:23I am already speaking to people across the spectrum to work out
02:26how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times
02:30and listening and learning because I do not know enough
02:34I honestly am so grateful that you are here tonight with me
02:47We love you lad
02:48This concert is still in place where everyone is welcome
02:52and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views
02:55and everyone here can stand beside people that they don't agree with on everything
