Dawn Images

Irish actor Nicola Coughlan has once again used her platform to raise urgent humanitarian aid for Palestinians, as the hunger crisis in Gaza worsens under Israel’s continued blockade of the area.

The Bridgerton star, known for her role as Penelope Featherington in the hit Netflix series, has pledged to match donations to Medical Aid for Palestinians up to £10,000.

In a video shared on Instagram, Coughlan expressed horror at the ongoing famine in Gaza, accusing the UK government of inaction and complicity. “I, like many of you, am completely horrified by the images coming out of Gaza, watching innocent children being starved to death, and people being starved to death,” she said.

“The government here in the UK, Keir Starmer, is doing nothing about it, ignoring it, acting like it’s not happening. There’s just a level of inhumanity in this situation which I have never witnessed the like in my life,” she added.

The actor said that her instinct is always to ask what can be done, and in this case, financial support seems to be the most effective way to help. “I will get the ball rolling, and I will match donations to Medical Aid for Palestinians for up to £10,000. So, please donate and share because I’ve never witnessed anything more horrific in my life,” she urged.

Her post was accompanied by the caption, “Children in Gaza are being starved to death. @keirstarmer @uklabour are allowing it to happen. I would like to raise as much as possible for Medical Aid for Palestinians @medicalaidpal. Please donate and share if you can.”

This is not the first time the Irish actor has mobilised her following for Palestine. In July 2024, Coughlan successfully raised $2 million for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) through her online campaign — a move that garnered widespread praise.

In April this year, she explained the roots of her support, pointing to the historical parallels between Irish and Palestinian struggles. “As an Irish person, I grew up learning about the occupation of my own country… Killing of innocent people is never right,” she said.

Coughlan’s latest call for donations comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 115 Palestinians have starved to death since Israel began its military campaign in October 2023 — a death toll that includes many children, with most fatalities occurring in recent weeks.

The Israeli attacks killed at least 62 Palestinians on Thursday alone, including 19 people who were trying to collect desperately needed aid, reported Al Jazeera.

International condemnation is growing. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently described Israel’s blocking of humanitarian aid as a “violation of international law”, while French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to formally recognise the Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan also urged immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood, calling the scenes from Gaza “absolutely harrowing.” In a statement posted to X, he said, “Starving children searching hopelessly for food in the rubble. Family members shot dead by Israeli soldiers as they searched for aid…The international community — including our own government — must do far more to pressure the Israeli government to stop this horrific, senseless killing and let vital, life-saving aid in.”

Meanwhile, in Israel, internal dissent is growing as well. Dozens of Israeli teenagers in Tel Aviv have publicly burned their draft orders, refusing to serve in the military in protest against the war on Gaza.