Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg publicly expresses support for the Palestinians through his latest single "Hundred Year Hunger."

Billy Bragg Releases New Single 'Hundred Year Hunger', Expresses Solidarity with Palestine

Billy Bragg, the renowned British singer-songwriter, has released a new single titled 'Hundred Year Hunger', a powerful piece that delves into the current famine in Gaza and a century of enforced food insecurity and malnutrition imposed on the Palestinian people.

The single, recorded at Echo Town Studio in Dorset, takes its title from a book of the same name by E Mark Windle. Bragg's poignant lyrics and a haunting piano line paint a vivid picture of the hunger, suffering, slaughter, and dread that Palestinians are experiencing.

Bragg has been vocal about his support for the Palestinian cause, believing that music has always been one of the few mediums for talking about these issues. He recently added Billy Nomates to the line-up for his 'Days Like These' Palestine benefit concert in London on September 20. Other artists on the bill include Jamie Webster, Reverend & The Makers, and Big Special, with the concert aiming to raise funds for the Amos Trust.

The situation in Gaza is acknowledged as "entirely man-made". Aid organizations, including international NGOs such as Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders, and forums like the UN's Humanitarian Country Team for Palestine (which includes UN agencies such as OCHA, FAO, and UNICEF), have jointly accused Israel of systematically obstructing food and essential aid supplies from entering the Gaza Strip, leading to worsened hunger and humanitarian conditions.

Bragg's new song is not just a call for aid but also a call for action. He believes that being an artist doesn't absolve them from taking responsibility for their actions, but creative expression should not be subject to criminal charges. This sentiment echoes his concerns about an open letter published by Heavenly Recordings, defending Kneecap's "freedom of expression", signed by artists including Pulp, Fontaines D.C. and IDLES. While Bragg appreciates the support for Kneecap, he expressed his concerns about the letter's lack of nuance and potential to undermine future efforts to hold the Israeli government accountable.

Kneecap, an Irish hip-hop trio, has been in the news recently due to a court case. Member Mo Chara of Kneecap was charged by the Metropolitan Police for allegedly displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terrorist organization Hezbollah last year. The group has denied the offence and described it as a "carnival of distraction".

Bragg's advocacy for the Palestinian cause and his new single 'Hundred Year Hunger' serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle and the need for solidarity and action. As he said in a recent interview at Glastonbury, "being an artist is about more than just entertainment – it's about using your voice to speak out against injustice."