“We left Gaza alone”: Pep Guardiola urges action at Palestine benefit in Barcelona

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made an appearance at the Palau Sant Jordi tonight, delivering a stirring "manifesto for humanity" during the Act X Palestine benefit concert.

The Catalan coach, known for his outspoken stance on human rights, took to the stage before a massive crowd. 

Draped in a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh, Guardiola delivered a speech calling for an end to "decades of oppression" and condemning the silence of global leaders.

"We Have Left Them Alone"

Guardiola began his address by reflecting on the harrowing images of children in Gaza that have dominated social media over the past two years.

"I always think, what must they think?" Guardiola asked the arena.

"I think we have left them alone, abandoned. I always think they must say, 'Where are you? Come help us.' And until now, even now, we have not done so."

He pointedly criticized world powers, labeling those in leadership as "cowards" who send innocent civilians into conflict while remaining safe in their own homes.

"The powerful are cowards because they send innocent people to kill innocent people... while they are at home with heating when it’s cold and air conditioning when it’s hot."

A Call to Break the Silence

The "Act X Palestine" event, organized by a coalition of human rights groups and Catalan cultural organizations, was designed to raise funds for humanitarian aid and cultural reconstruction in Palestine.

Guardiola emphasized that the goal of modern warfare is often to manufacture "silence" and indifference.

"The bombs want us to look the other way," he said. "We must simply not look the other way and get involved."

He drew parallels between the current situation in Palestine and Barcelona’s own history, specifically referencing the 1938 bombings of the city during the Spanish Civil War.

He also praised the work of Open Arms, the NGO dedicated to rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean, noting that humanity is defined by the simple act of "rescuing a person without asking questions."

A Night of Resistance

The concert featured a diverse lineup of artists, including Bad Gyal, Lluís Llach, and Palestinian singers Zeyne and Lina Makoul. Proceeds from the night are slated to support cultural centers across Palestine via the Palestinian Performing Arts Network (PPAN).

Guardiola concluded his speech with a message of hope, urging the audience to let the music inspire a "better society."

"All of this is simply about humanity," he said to a standing ovation. "Which is everything that is not happening in Palestine."