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Bob Vylan’s “Death to the IDF” Chant & Reactions
At the West Holts Stage, UK punk duo Bob Vylan led a crowd chant of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF,” in direct protest against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. They also brandished a Palestinian flag and accused a Jewish music executive—whom they previously worked for—of attempting to block Kneecap’s Glastonbury booking.
Immediate Fallout:
• BBC Response: The gig was broadcast live on BBC iPlayer with only a warning overlay, later pulled from replay. The BBC called the chants “deeply offensive”
• Government Backlash: Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy condemned the remarks as “threatening” and requested a full explanation from the BBC.
• Israeli Embassy Reaction: Described the chants as “deeply disturbed” and warned they “advocate for the dismantling of the State of Israel”
• Police Action: Avon & Somerset Police launched an investigation into whether the chants constituted a criminal offence.
Kneecap’s Politically Charged Set
Following soon after, Northern Irish trio Kneecap––comprising Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí––delivered a heavily charged performance featuring:
• A chorus of “Free Palestine” and around 200 Palestinian flags onstage.
• Vocal criticism of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “The prime minister of your country… said he didn’t want us to play, so f**k Keir Starmer!”
• Mo Chara’s declaration: “Glastonbury, I’m a free man,” marking his first public performance since being charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly showing a Hezbollah flag at a London gig.
• A pledge to “start a riot outside the courts” in support of Mo Chara, later revised to “No riots, just love and support”
Aftermath:
• Broadcast Decisions: The BBC decided not to live-stream the set, though it may appear later on iPlayer.
• Law Enforcement Review: Police are analyzing all footage to determine if the lyrics or chants broke any laws.
• Political Outcry: Starmer and other officials criticized the band’s presence; Starmer said it was “not appropriate” for them to be on stage.
• Festival Response: Glastonbury organizers defended their inclusion, citing artistic freedom, while voices like Paloma Faith praised their “freedom and empathy”
Context & Significance
• Bob Vylan has taken a firm pro-Palestinian stance in recent months, nailing a Palestinian flag to the stage as part of their onstage message.
• Kneecap are known for blending Irish republicanism, working-class concerns, and Irish-language raps. Their open support for Palestine, alongside their ongoing legal issues, has put them firmly in the public eye.
Analysis
These high-profile Glastonbury interventions have reignited debates about the limits of political expression in music:
• Supporters argue that festivals like Glastonbury exist to spotlight dissenting voices and spark dialogue.
• Critics contend that slogans like “Death to the IDF” cross into incitement and hate speech, possibly with legal consequences.
With police evaluating both acts, the coming weeks will determine whether legislation around hate speech and terrorism applies to these performances—and, crucially, how broadcasters and public institutions handle politically charged art.
Attached is a news article regarding bob vylan and kneecap making extreme comments at Glastonbury concert
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c33514nryy1o.amp
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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