Chris Martin causes debate over comments to two Israeli fans he brought on stage at Wembley

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has come under fire for making a 'controversial' comment after bringing two Israeli fans on stage.

The 48-year-old singer has been accused of 'dehumanising' the concertgoers, named Avia and Tal, in front of the 90,000 people who had piled into Wembley Stadium.

Coldplay are currently in the middle of a huge run of shows at the venue in London as part of their Music of the Spheres World Tour.

And on Sunday (31 August), Martin decided to invite two women up on stage with him after spotting their sign among the crowd.

It is believed to have said 'We Believe In Magic', in reference to the band's 2014 track 'Magic'.

Footage, which has since gone viral, shows how father-of-two Martin was chatting to the pair on stage when he asked them where they were from.

After the female fans told them they hailed from the Middle Eastern country - prompting some boos from the audience - the hitmaker responded: "From Israel... well, well. Okay, well listen.

"I'm going to say this: I'm very grateful that you're here as humans, and I'm treating you as equal humans on Earth regardless of where you come from or don't come from.

"Thank you for being here. We're grateful. And thank you for being loving and kind."

Martin seemed to be aware he was treading on difficult territory, but he managed to cause quite an uproar when he followed up these comments with a shoutout to Coldplay fans from Palestine.

"Although it's controversial maybe, I also want to welcome people in the audience from Palestine," the 'Fix You' singer said.

"Because I believe that we are all equally human. Thank you for being here."

Martin then added: "We're very happy to see you. Look at your beautiful green eyes. We have a song called 'Green Eyes'. We should re-sing it for you."

After the show wrapped up, one of the women told Israeli broadcaster Kan that she considered concealing her nationality when Martin asked.

"There was a split second that we considered saying we are from Malta, and then I said 'Israeli'," she said, as per the Jewish Chronicle.

"We couldn’t and didn’t want to lie. It was a bit scary that 90,000 people know we are from here, but we said it."

Martin's words have managed to rub a lot of people up the wrong way online, while campaigners fighting against antisemitism branded his comments 'dehumanising'.

For example, the Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) took to X to share its stance, saying: "At a Coldplay concert, two Israeli girls were booed simply for saying they were from Israel.

"And instead of defending them, Chris Martin 'balanced' it by greeting 'Palestine' then told the girls, 'we are treating you as humans of this earth'.

"Why did Israelis need to be reminded they will be treated as humans? Aren’t Israelis humans already?

"This is exactly the dehumanisation Jews face again and again, and it’s shameful that it played out on a stage meant for music and unity."

Antisemitism expert and international fellow at Israeli security think tank INSS Dr Casey Babb urged Martin to 'do better' in a lengthy social media post.

He accused Coldplay's lead singer of making the two women 'feel conditionally tolerated, dehumanised, and guilty of being Jewish'.

Zionist activist group Betar Worldwide also chimed in saying: "Here’s the truth: Israelis don’t need validation from rockstars. Our existence isn’t up for debate."

Others shared a starkly different opinion of Martin's actions, as one social media user said: "He was absolutely incredible. He's honestly the kindest person ever."

Another wrote: "Was at the concert. He handled it with class. Dissolved any potential bad reaction from the crowd."

A third then added: "So, you’re upset that he says he wants to treat all humans as equal. In your view, Palestinians in the audience should not be treated as equal? Sad."

It's not the first time Martin has brought up Israel and Palestine during a gig either, as he also made a remark when he spotted an Israeli flag in the crowd at a show in Toronto in July.

"Yesterday, we had a beautiful Palestinian flag, today we have an Israeli flag," he told Coldplay fans. "So we welcome all people. Thank you, my brothers and sisters. It makes me happy that both groups can come."

LADbible has contacted Coldplay's representatives for comment.