Who are the artists speaking out against Israel's war on Gaza?

"While governments have made diplomatic statements, voices from the cultural world have also grown louder. For almost as long as the war has continued, musicians, actors, writers and others have been calling for a ceasefire, advocating for Palestinian rights and calling on governments to hold Israel accountable, often facing condemnation and even blacklisting. As the war has dragged on, more artists are using their unique influence to amplify support for Gaza."

"I hope that culture is upstream of politics. I think it is. So I think the state of mind that culture creates in people encourages or provides within which people can operate and politicians can operate. But, I don't know that that's true. It's an act of faith. It sometimes works. It sometimes doesn't, and that's different from writing songs that tell you what to think We have to do something about it and they're doing that in the absence of political leadership."

Several Western nations recognised Palestine in a largely symbolic effort aimed at reviving hope for peace and a two-state solution. Gaza has suffered a staggering, likely undercounted death toll of at least 65,000 killed, including more than 19,000 children, and over 165,000 injured, representing more than 10 percent of Gaza's population. Cultural figures have increasingly called for a ceasefire and accountability, with musicians, actors and writers signing at least 11 open letters and staging benefit events. Some artists have faced condemnation and blacklisting while organising concerts and fundraising to assist Palestinian relief efforts.

Read at www.aljazeera.com