Scottish musician releases protest song against Israel's war crimes in Gaza

Doug Veitch, the cult Scottish musician known in the 1980s as Champion Doug Veitch, has released a new protest single titled 'War Crimes', directly condemning Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza and the international silence surrounding it.

The song arrives amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warning in May that famine is “imminent” across the territory, with nearly half a million people facing catastrophic hunger.

The World Food Programme has also reported that its food supplies have been depleted due to Israel’s continued blockade, leaving millions without access to basic nutrition.

Veitch, now based in the Scottish Borders region, expressed dismay at UK political leaders, particularly Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"It’s hard to believe that not only is he a Labour Prime Minister but has a background in law," Veitch told The National.

"History will not look back kindly on the leaders who turned a blind eye on crimes against humanity amounting to genocide."

Veitch added that many Jewish individuals, including rabbis, had spoken out against the Israeli government’s actions, but that "mainstream media – including the BBC – have largely chosen to ignore covering this".

The single War Crimes took a year to produce and was recorded in Coventry and Leamington, according to the Scottish daily newspaper.

It features contributions from several prominent musicians, including Martin Bell of The Wonder Stuff (arrangement and production), Horace Panter of The Specials (bass), Rick Medlock (drums), Louis Vause (piano), Dan Hillman (saxophone and clarinet), Josh Westrip (trumpet), and backing vocals by Cara McNeil and Heather Ritchie-Parker.

A second track, 'If I Must Die', is a musical adaptation of a poem by Palestinian writer Refaat Alareer, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in December 2023 alongside several members of his family.

The piece features acclaimed piper Allan MacDonald, cellist Neil Johnstone, and vocalist Monica Madas.

"It came about as a result of my increasing anger and feeling of hopelessness over events in Gaza, media coverage, and support of the Israeli regime proffered by politicians at both a local and national level," he told The National.

Veitch said all proceeds from the release will go to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). He also revealed plans for a music video and expressed interest in launching a "festival for Gaza" that would involve artists across Scotland.