Israeli Internet Personality Guy Hochman Disrupts Coldplay Concert in Athens

Footage has surfaced showing Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin, urgently stopping a concert in Athens after a fan tried to rush the stage carrying what seemed to be an Israeli flag. The incident occurred on June 9 during the band’s Music of the Spheres tour.

During the performance, an audience member was filmed attempting to climb onto the stage. The man, identified as controversial Israeli internet personality Guy Hochman, was seen trying to scale the lighting rig before falling and bringing down several pieces of equipment with him. Martin, 47, was visibly alarmed and shouted repeatedly for the show to stop while gesturing to the crew.

Both Martin and guitarist Johnny Buckland rushed to the edge of the stage to assist Hochman, who had posted a photo of himself at the concert and a TikTok video documenting his actions. Hochman, known for his past service as an Israeli soldier and for making contentious jokes about Palestinian deaths in Gaza, wore a black baseball cap and draped an Israeli flag around his shoulders.

Hochman later described his attempt to lead chants of “bring them home,” referencing hostages held by Hamas, before making his way towards the stage. He narrated his climb, likening the obstacles to Auschwitz and celebrating his proximity to Martin before falling and injuring his rib.

Reactions to Hochman’s post were mixed, with some followers criticizing his actions as potentially embarrassing for Israel. Comments suggested his actions could have resulted in increased antagonism from Martin.

Hochman’s actions appear motivated by Martin’s past support for Palestine. During a performance in Tokyo last November, Martin spoke about various global issues, expressing opposition to oppression, occupation, terrorism, and genocide, without directly referencing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This incident follows another recent controversy involving Hochman, where he claimed he was removed from the Eurovision Village in Malmo, Sweden, for waving an Israeli flag. The Eurovision Song Contest itself faced calls for a boycott over Israel’s participation due to its ongoing conflict with Palestine. Israel denies accusations of genocide, though the reported death toll in Gaza exceeds 32,000.

Why This Matters: The incident underscores the ongoing tensions between supporters of Israel and Palestine, and how these conflicts manifest in public events and performances. It also highlights the impact of celebrity statements on international issues and their influence on public actions.

Key Takeaways

• Chris Martin halted Coldplay's concert in Athens after a fan attempted to rush the stage.
• The man, identified as Guy Hochman, was carrying an Israeli flag and documenting his actions.
• Hochman’s actions received mixed reactions, with some criticizing him for potentially embarrassing Israel.
• Martin’s past statements supporting Palestine may have motivated Hochman’s actions.
• The incident reflects the broader tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.