While Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin opened his band's concert in Bucharest this week with a greeting of "peace between Israel and Palestine," the highlight came later when he asked the camera to focus on a woman wearing a dog tag representing hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, projecting her image on the jumbo screens mounted over the stage. At one point, the cameraman moved away, but Martin insisted on returning to the dog tag.
Tribute to Gaza hostages at Coldplay concert in Bucharest
(Photo: Tom Prizmant)
"It was very moving," Barak, an attendee, told Ynet, referring to the projection of the hostage dog tag on the big screen. The large Israeli crowd responded with thunderous applause when the camera zoomed in on the dog tag, as Martin himself requested more focus. As the inscription on the tag became readable, Martin admitted he couldn’t understand the text and asked to move on.
Ilana, another attendee, told Ynet that Martin read aloud a sign from Spain and later one from Israel, which received cheers from the Israeli audience.
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Member of the crowd displays hostage dog tag at Coldplay concert in Bucharest
(Photo: Priel Schneiderman)
This is the second time within a week that Israelis have made a significant impact at the British rock band's concert. Earlier this week in Athens, 12-year-old Or Abudi held up a sign with a picture of Captain Shir Eilat, who fell on October 7, drawing the cameras' attention and receiving a personal acknowledgment from Martin.