Footage has emerged of Chris Martin springing into action as an Israeli social media personality attempted to make a political stance by rushing the stage of a Coldplay concert and fell.
The band were performing in Athens, Greece, as part of the European leg of their Music of the Spheres tour on 9 June when Martin spotted the audience member, wrapped in an Israeli flag.
The frontman, 47, who is visibly alarmed, can be heard shouting “Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop,” as he gestured to the crew around him.
As the gig was paused, guitarist Johnny Buckland and Martin rushed to the edge of the stage to peer down at the man and try to assist, after he had made a failed attempt to climb over a lighting rig and instead fallen to the ground, taking down several pieces of lighting equipment with him.
@fortinorita just a tiny accident 👀#coldplay #coldplayathens
♬ original sound - RitaFortino
The identity of the man was later revealed to be comedian Guy Hochman, 35, who shared clips of himself on social media brandishing his country's flag in the crowd before his ill-fated attempt that ultimately resulted in a broken rib.
Mr Hochman recently came under fire for making jokes about the killing of Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war and has been criticised for filming skits on the subject, one of which saw him give a “tour” of a damaged hotel in Gaza while on a patrol with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).
He told his followers on TikTok that his intention at the gig had been to wrap Martin in his nation’s colours as an act of protest.
The Clocks hitmakers have often condemned the prevalence of genocide during speeches and interviews which has been seen by many as a commentary on the horrors unfolding in Gaza.
Mr Hochman - who admitted he didn’t know a single Coldplay song - had dubbed his plan “Operation Athens”.
“We were at a Coldplay concert in Athens yesterday, don't know one of their songs... We wait for silence between the songs and then all the critters will sing Bring Dem Home!” he told his followers.
Referring to himself, he continued: “Chief smile officer embarks on his life's mission, conquer the stage and wrap the singer in the Israeli flag.”
