Madonna On Israel-Hamas Conflict: How Can Human Beings Be So Cruel?

Madonna (Instagram @madonna)

JAKARTA - Madonna took a moment to discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict while on stage at The O2, expressing her frustration at how fellow humans could "be so cruel".

The artist urges viewers to “remember that we are humans here” because “we cannot lose our humanity” and make a difference by bringing “light into the world.”

Madonna discussed the conflict briefly at the start of her four-night Celebration concert at the London arena, and said on opening night that “watching what's happening in Israel and Palestine” broke her heart.

However, on the third show on October 16, she expanded on her comments.

“Nobody wants to see what happens,” she said. “I went on social media and I wanted to vomit. I saw children kidnapped, pulled off motorbikes; babies were beheaded, reveling children were shot and killed. What is happening in this world? How can humans be so cruel to each other? It's getting worse. It scared me.”

Citing the writings of her “great inspiration”, author James Baldwin, she continued: “The children of the world belong to all of us, each and every one of us. I don't care where they come from… what color their skin is, what religion they are – the children are ours. And we are responsible for them.”

She also discussed the murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume in Chicago on October 14, which detectives say was a possible hate crime related to the current Israel-Hamas conflict.

Joseph Czuba, 71, was charged with murder after allegedly stabbing the boy and attacking the mother.

Madonna claimed that the alleged attack was a “hate crime because she is Muslim.”

"We have to remember that we are humans here, we must not lose our humanity," she continued.

“Our hearts can be broken, but our spirits are not. Nothing can break our spirit. And you might look at what's going on in the world and say, what the heck? What can I do? I'm just one person, I'm helpless. No, you are not alone. Each of you has the power and ability to turn on the lights in the world.”

Earlier this week, more than 2000 entertainment figures, including Tilda Swinton, Steve Coogan and Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja, signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.