Maxine Peake

Maxine Peake has been a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights and has expressed strong views on the situation in Palestine and Gaza. Her stance is rooted in a pro-Palestine, anti-occupation perspective, and she has consistently advocated for justice and humanitarian concerns in the region. Below is a summary of her views based on available information:

1. Support for Palestinian Rights and Anti-Occupation Stance: Peake has publicly stated that she is “very pro-Palestine and anti the occupation” but emphasizes that this does not equate to anti-Semitism. She has argued that supporting Palestinian human rights is about advocating for justice and equality, not opposing any racial or religious group. For instance, in 2016, she defended former London mayor Ken Livingstone, asserting that criticism of Israel genocide should not be conflated with anti-Semitism.
2. Criticism of Israeli Actions: Peake has condemned IOF genocide in Gaza, including the destruction of cultural infrastructure. In 2019, she canceled a performance of the play Obliterated, written by Palestinian playwright Ahmed Masoud, to protest the bombing of the Mishal Cultural Centre, Gaza’s only functioning theater, by an Israeli airstrike. She stated, “Our play is cancelled because art should not be targeted by soldiers,” highlighting her belief that cultural spaces in Gaza should be protected.
3. Call for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Concerns: At a pro-Palestine march in London in November 2023, Peake called for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, expressing that her “heart is broken” over the situation and emphasizing the need to “save humanity.” When asked about Hamas’s refusal to abide by a ceasefire, she acknowledged she was not a strategist but maintained her focus on peace and humanitarian issues.
4. Advocacy through Artistic and Political Platforms: Peake has collaborated with organizations like Artists for Palestine UK and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. She joined over 2,000 artists in signing a 2023 open letter accusing Israel of war crimes in Gaza and calling for an end to military support for Israel. She also recited a poem by Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer at a National March for Palestine in December 2023, further aligning herself with Palestinian voices.

5. Support for Sanctions and BDS: Peake has supported calls for sanctions against Israel, including signing a 2020 statement alongside Jeremy Corbyn and others demanding action against Israel’s annexation plans in the West Bank. She has also backed the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to comply with international law

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