Annie Lennox calls for ceasefire on first anniversary of the Israel-Palestine conflict

Annie Lennox has called for a ceasefire amid the first anniversary of the Israel-Palestine conflict, writing of how humans are “capable of tremendous achievements and indescribable atrocities”.

In a post shared to Instagram yesterday (October 7), the Eurythmics singer referenced the attack that happened a year ago, when over a thousand Israelis were killed by Hamas forces at a music festival.

Following the attack, the Israeli cabinet formally declared war against Hamas, leading to the most significant escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in several decades and triggering unprecedented and seemingly unrelenting violence.

According to a report by Reuters, Palestinian health authorities have said Israel’s ground and air campaign in Gaza has killed more than 41,500 people. The attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023 killed over 1,200 people.

Now, Annie Lennox has taken to Instagram 12 months after Hamas descended on the Israel festival, and called for a ceasefire.

“This is a heavy day – one year after the events that were to create a ‘tipping point’ in this decades-long situation of discord and brutality. I had always hoped things might change for the better.. but tragically – that is not the case,” she wrote.

“On Oct 7 2024 we are looking at a potential ‘forever war’ situation, with the entire Middle Eastern region on the brink of being completely drawn into it.

“Today’s career politicians have no moral compass and the ‘never again’ understanding has evaporated in plain sight, with ‘human rights’ shredded into pieces. We humans are capable of tremendous achievements and indescribable atrocities.”

Later in the caption, Lennox urged her followers to “reflect upon the sanctity of life”, before adding in the comments: “I am for ceasefire and peace. That is ALL I call for. I deplore anti-Semitism as much as I deplore the killing, wounding and continuous displacement of children, women and innocent Palestinian civilians.”

She continued: “And of COURSE I want to see the innocent hostages returned safely to their families. This tragically doesn’t seem to be a priority for [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu and his government.”

Lennox spoke out earlier this year too, calling for a ceasefire during her performance at the 2024 Grammys In Memoriam segment in February. She was one of three artists to perform during the segment, following Stevie Wonder and appearing ahead of Jon Batiste.

The Eurythmics frontwoman is far from the first figure from the music industry to speak out about the ongoing conflict. Yesterday also saw Brian Eno write an open letter, calling for Israel’s “war crimes” to be against Palestine to be prosecuted.

“Israel retaliated [to the October 7 attack] with overwhelming military force. A year on the carnage continues, resulting in at least 50 thousand Palestinian deaths so far, and no sign of an end,” he wrote.

“Israel is in the grip of a murderous far-right government which has made its position abundantly clear in public statements: they want an exclusively Jewish state, and they won’t accept or recognise the UN or any other international body that suggests otherwise,” he added, also sharing a link to the open letter to the Judges of the International Criminal Court, which you can find here.

Eno has been a vocal force amid the ongoing atrocities, and joined forces with Nadine Shah, Maxine Peake and more in performing at a special benefit event in support of Palestine at London’s Union Chapel in April, with all proceeds going to Amos Trust’s emergency appeal for Gaza.

Likewise, he also joined members of R.E.M, Bastille and more in reading out letters from Palestinians suffering in Gaza as part of a ‘Voices For Gaza’ initiative earlier this year. Fontaines D.C. took part in the latter too, and also joined Massive Attack and Young Fathers for a limited edition 12” single to support the charity Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

The Irish band would also cancel a gig in Istanbul in solidarity with Palestine, saying: “We must be clear in our convictions”, and open up to NME about how they felt that speaking out “is the responsibility of anyone with a voice”.

Before then, famous faces including Dua Lipa, Michael Stipe and Cate Blanchett have signed an open letter, urging President Joe Biden to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Steve Coogan also defended his decision to sign a separate open letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. This came after he was among over 2,000 names from the arts world who signed the letter, including Tilda Swinton, Massive Attack‘s Robert Del Naja and Miriam Margoyles.

Shortly before then, it was reported that Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Mark Hamill and Jamie Lee Curtis were among 700 Hollywood figures who signed an open letter, condemning the actions of Hamas as acts of terrorism.