A bold plea for action: a Palestinian lullaby aims for Christmas No. 1 in the UK, using music to raise funds and spotlight Palestinian culture and creativity.
Together for Palestine is backing the track, which seeks to channel aid to Gaza while sharing Palestinian artistry with a broad audience.
Brian Eno, who performs on the song, says Lullaby, due for release on Friday, offers a real chance to show support for Palestinians during the holidays and perhaps achieve an unlikely chart-topping moment. “It would be fantastic if that happened, yes,” he commented, adding that Christmas singles have their own special dynamics and aren’t guaranteed to reach the top.
Palestinian singer Nai Barghouti, who also features on the track, describes the song as an adaptation of the lullaby Yamma Mwel El Hawa (Mama, Sing to the Wind). She calls it a defiant anthem about demanding dignity, explaining that its core message is the desire to live with freedom and to preserve a vibrant Palestinian identity.
The project grew out of the Together for Palestine concert at Wembley Arena in September. Although the plan was for Lullaby to be performed and recorded live during the show, time constraints led to the performance being cut. The event brought together 69 artists, speakers, and activists and raised about £2 million.
Among the artists featured on Lullaby are Eno, Celeste, Dan Smith of Bastille, Lana Lubany, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, the London Community Gospel Choir, Mabel, Nadine Shah, and Neneh Cherry—many of whom also performed at the Wembley concert. The lineup also included Benedict Cumberbatch and Damon Albarn as performers and speakers. The gathering drew inspiration from a 1988 Wembley Stadium celebration of Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday.
The track is produced by Kieran Brunt, Benji B, and Henri Davies, blending original Arabic lyrics with English lyrics written by Peter Gabriel.
Together for Palestine aims to maximize the fund’s impact by distributing proceeds to Palestinian causes via the Choose Love charity. There isn’t a fixed fundraising target; organizers plan to take in as much as possible, with every contribution directed toward Gaza.
As one supporter noted, the devastation in the region is severe: roughly 92% of property has been destroyed or damaged, and lives have been lost. In this context, even millions of pounds can feel modest, but the project emphasizes visibility and solidarity—showing the world that Palestinian voices are heard and valued.
Lullaby is set to be released on Friday, with a recorded version of the Together for Palestine concert available to stream on YouTube starting 19 December.
