CHARLOTTE Church has denied being antisemitic after she took part in a controversial chant.
Church, 38, was heavily criticised after she led a 100-strong choir in a rendition of From the River to the Sea at a concert.
It references Israel which lies between the River Jordan in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
The chant is highly controversial as many people see it as calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.
British Jews have repeatedly warned left-wing activists that the song — which is popular with terror groups — voices a desire to see Israel destroyed.
It follows outrage last week when activists beamed the lyrics on to the Big Ben tower, sparking a row over democracy and mob rule.
This is disputed by organisations such as the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign who say the slogan refers to “the right of all Palestinians to freedom, equality and justice”.
Church addressed what she called “alarmist” reports in a live broadcast on Instagram today.
She said: “Just to clarify my intentions there, I am in no way antisemitic. I am fighting for the liberation of all people. I have a deep heart for all religions and all difference.
“It was a beautiful, beautiful event. But unfortunately the powers that be can’t have that. [They] can’t have such a powerful symbol of resistance as what we worked towards on Saturday.”
Church confirmed the gig had ended with a chant of the words “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.
She said: “Clearly, if you know the history of it all, [it is] not an antisemitic chant calling for the obliteration of Israel. It is not that in any way shape or form. It is calling for the peaceful coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians.”
Church added that “lots of other beautiful songs… of liberation and freedom” were also performed at the event, including Arabic songs, Welsh songs, and South African songs from the anti-Apartheid movement, “the lyrics of which were adapted to the situation in Palestine”.
Children were among those singing, clapping and stomping on stage at the Bedwas Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly.
Ex-child star soprano Charlotte, 38, draped herself in a keffiyeh scarf, which for British supporters has become a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
She told the crowd of 150 people: “A lot of us are feeling a lot of emotion.
“This is a safe space to just breathe and sing and get it all out.”
She then belted out a song titled Stop the Occupation and was presented with a bottle of champagne as a thank-you after a 40-minute set.
It was given to her in front of a giant Palestine flag by choir director Wendy Lewis, who accused Israel of genocide and urged ticket-holders to boycott Israeli goods.
The event was raising cash for the Middle East Children’s Alliance charity.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism wants the Charity Commission to investigate.
It told The Sun: “At best Charlotte Church has been tone deaf but at worst she is using her voice to fan the flames of hatred.
“You cannot stoop lower than using your stardom to teach kids to sing extremist lyrics in a village hall.”
It said the song was genocidal, adding: “Singing it is not standing up for human rights.”
Jewish MP Andrew Percy, who said he felt safer in Israel than in the UK, described Charlotte’s sing-along as “deeply concerning”.
He told The Sun: “Those who joined in should hang their heads in shame.”
