What's new

UK punk band blasted for ‘Death to IDF’ chants during Glastonbury festival as police probe ‘deeply offensive’ comments

BouncerGuy

BouncerGuy

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 29, 2023
Runs
34,170
Police review footage of chants led by Glastonbury acts

Police in Somerset say they are assessing comments made on stage by rap punk duo Bob Vylan and Irish-language rap group Kneecap at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday.

The government has "strongly condemned" chants from Bob Vylan who called for "death" to the Israeli military during their performance which was broadcast live on the BBC.

Rapper Bobby Vylan led chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]".

A BBC spokesperson said some of the comments were "deeply offensive", adding it had issued a warning on screen about "very strong and discriminatory language". The set will not be available to rewatch on BBC iPlayer.

The Israeli Embassy posted on the social media site X that it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric".

The festival said in a statement: "Glastonbury Festival does not condone hate speech or incitement to violence of any kind from its performers."

After Bob Vylan's performance, a government spokesperson said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had spoken to BBC director general Tim Davie to seek an "urgent explanation about what due diligence" the broadcaster carried out ahead of airing the act.

The government added that it welcomed the decision not to re-broadcast the performance on BBC iPlayer.

Bob Vylan's set on the festival's West Holts stage came ahead of Kneecap who have made headlines in recent months after rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence.

He is accused of displaying the flag of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig last year. He has denied the charge.

Following sets from Bob Vylan and Kneecap, Avon and Somerset Police said it would review footage of comments made by acts on the West Holts stage.

The force said footage "will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation".

Kneecap's highly-charged performance on Saturday was watched by thousands and hit back at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with expletive-laden chants, after he previously called the band's Glastonbury appearance "not appropriate".

Mr Ó hAnnaidh is on bail after a court hearing in London two weeks ago.

www.bbc.com

Police review footage of chants led by Glastonbury acts

The government condemned chants from rap duo Bob Vylan which were streamed live and called for "death" to the Israeli military.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
Last edited:
Glastonbury Festival organizers said they were “appalled” by punk duo Bob Vylan’s chants of “death to the IDF” during their set, calling it a clear violation of festival values. The BBC, which aired the performance live, has since pulled it from iPlayer, citing offensive content. Critics, including antisemitism watchdogs and UK officials, condemned the remarks and questioned the BBC’s editorial judgment. Police are reviewing footage for possible legal violations. The controversy follows heightened scrutiny of artists over political statements made at the festival. #Glastonbury #BobVylan #BBC #IDF
 
MenInG said:
Glastonbury Festival organizers said they were “appalled” by punk duo Bob Vylan’s chants of “death to the IDF” during their set, calling it a clear violation of festival values. The BBC, which aired the performance live, has since pulled it from iPlayer, citing offensive content. Critics, including antisemitism watchdogs and UK officials, condemned the remarks and questioned the BBC’s editorial judgment. Police are reviewing footage for possible legal violations. The controversy follows heightened scrutiny of artists over political statements made at the festival. #Glastonbury #BobVylan #BBC #IDF
Click to expand...
Death to a Foreign army is apparently offensive.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Let's be brutally honest, had the flags been Israeli/Ukrainian and artists chanted death to Russian forces, then the headlines would be different.

IDF is committing a genocide. BiBi and his cronies are wanted war criminals.

THe only reason this is an issue is because the Zio spell doesn't work anymore.

The 9/11 generation are not falling for the tricks my generation, and my previous generations fell for.

God bless the internet.
 

Bob Vylan coverage should have been pulled, says BBC​


The BBC has said it should have cut away from a live broadcast of Bob Vylan's performance at Glastonbury, during which the band's singer led the crowd in chants of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]".

In a statement issued on Monday, the BBC said: "The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen."

It comes after the broadcast regulator Ofcom said the BBC "clearly has questions to answer" over its coverage, and the government questioned why the comments were aired live.

The organisers of Glastonbury have previously said they were "appalled" by the comments, which "crossed a line".

On Monday, a BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence.

"The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves."

A statement continued: "In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air."

The BBC has previously said the performance had carried a warning on screen and would not be made available to watch on iPlayer.

Who are Bob Vylan? - Glastonbury's controversial act
The controversy surrounds comments made by Bob Vylan's singer - who goes by the stage name Bobby Vylan - during their performance at the festival on Saturday.

During part of the band's set, the singer also chanted "free, free Palestine" and used the expression "from the river to sea, Palestine will be free". Some use the chant as a call for Palestinian control of all land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, including Israel.

Critics say the slogan is a call for the destruction of the state of Israel.

That interpretation is disputed by pro-Palestinian activists who say that most people chanting it are calling for an end to Israel's occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza, not the destruction of Israel itself.

On Monday, Ofcom said it was in contact with the BBC and had asked for clarification over why the comments were broadcast.

A spokesperson for the regulator said: "We are very concerned about the live stream of this performance, and the BBC clearly has questions to answer.

"We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines."

Bob Vylan are a London-based English punk-rap duo, who formed in Ipswich in 2017. They have previously performed at Reading and Leeds festivals and toured with the likes of the Offspring, the Hives and Biffy Clyro.

On Sunday, its singer released a statement on Instagram with "I said what I said" as an accompanying message.

In it, he defended political activism in general without referencing Saturday's performance directly, writing that is important for young people to see campaigners "shouting... on any and every stage that we are offered".

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer branded the on-stage remarks "hate speech" and there has been cross-party condemnation of both the chants and the BBC's coverage of them.

Shortly after the performance, the government said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had pressed BBC director general Tim Davie for an urgent explanation.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said police should investigate both Bob Vylan and the BBC "for offences under the Public Order act", adding that "prosecutions in my view should follow".

Glastonbury's organisers have also distanced themselves from Bob Vylan's performance.

They said: "Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence."

Source: BBC
 
Police launch criminal investigation into Bob Vylan and Kneecap Glastonbury sets

A criminal investigation has been launched over performances by Bob Vylan and Kneecap at Glastonbury on Saturday, Avon and Somerset Police has said.

The force said it had appointed a senior detective to investigate whether comments made by either act amounted to a criminal offence after reviewing footage.

A statement added: "This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage."

Speaking in Parliament on Monday after the announcement, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called the scenes broadcast "appalling and unacceptable".

Police have not specified which part of Bob Vylan's or Kneecap's set would be subject to the criminal investigation.

It comes after the BBC said it should have cut away from a live broadcast of Bob Vylan's performance, during which the band's singer Pascal Robinson-Foster, who performs under the name Bobby Vylan, led a chant of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]".

Those comments drew criticism of both the English punk-rap duo and the BBC for its live coverage of their performance.

The corporation said it would "look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air", and labelled remarks made during the performance antisemitic.

Lisa Nandy told MPs that she immediately called the BBC's director general after the set was broadcast.

She said outstanding questions remain, including why the feed "wasn't immediately cut", why it was broadcast live "given the concerns regarding other acts in the weeks preceding the festival" and what due diligence had been done ahead of deciding to put Bob Vylan on TV.

"When the rights and safety of people and communities are at risk, and when the national broadcaster fails to uphold its own standards, we will intervene," she added, and said she will continue to speak to the BBC in the coming days.

Earlier, broadcast regulator Ofcom said the BBC "clearly has questions to answer" over its coverage, and the government questioned why the comments were aired live.

The organisers of Glastonbury have previously said they were "appalled" by the comments, which "crossed a line".

On Sunday, Robinson-Foster responded to the controversy on Instagram, writing "I said what I said" and a statement in defence of political activism, without addressing his on-stage comments in more detail.

Since then, both members of Bob Vylan - who were due to embark on a tour of America later this year - have had their US visas revoked, it is understood.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on X: "Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country."

In response, Bobby Vylan released a video statement on social media on Monday, where he said politicians should be "utterly ashamed" about where their "allegiances lie".

"First it was Kneecap, now it's us two," he said.

"Regardless of how it was said, calling for an end to the slaughter of innocents is never wrong. To civilians of Israel, understand this anger is not directed at you, and don't let your government persuade you that a call against an army is a call against the people.

"To Keir, Kemi and the rest of you, I'll get you at a later date."

Avon and Somerset Police also confirmed the criminal investigation would assess Kneecap's Glastonbury performance.

The Irish-language rap band are known for making pro-Palestinian and political comments during their live performances and have attracted controversy in the past.

Band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying the flag of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig. He has denied the charge.

Although there was no live stream of Kneecap's performance, the BBC later uploaded a largely unedited version of the set to its Glastonbury highlights page on BBC iPlayer.

BBC
 
The_KING said:
Screw BBC and IDF.

The Jews and Zionists control everything.
Click to expand...
Look how hard they are trying in suppressing the truth. Those that arent Muslims can clearly see the hypocrisy and lies that the Puppets of Zion are propagating.

Such a bad time for pagans and idol worshippers 🙁😔
 
BouncerGuy said:
Police launch criminal investigation into Bob Vylan and Kneecap Glastonbury sets

A criminal investigation has been launched over performances by Bob Vylan and Kneecap at Glastonbury on Saturday, Avon and Somerset Police has said.

The force said it had appointed a senior detective to investigate whether comments made by either act amounted to a criminal offence after reviewing footage.

A statement added: "This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage."

Speaking in Parliament on Monday after the announcement, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called the scenes broadcast "appalling and unacceptable".

Police have not specified which part of Bob Vylan's or Kneecap's set would be subject to the criminal investigation.

It comes after the BBC said it should have cut away from a live broadcast of Bob Vylan's performance, during which the band's singer Pascal Robinson-Foster, who performs under the name Bobby Vylan, led a chant of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]".

Those comments drew criticism of both the English punk-rap duo and the BBC for its live coverage of their performance.

The corporation said it would "look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air", and labelled remarks made during the performance antisemitic.

Lisa Nandy told MPs that she immediately called the BBC's director general after the set was broadcast.

She said outstanding questions remain, including why the feed "wasn't immediately cut", why it was broadcast live "given the concerns regarding other acts in the weeks preceding the festival" and what due diligence had been done ahead of deciding to put Bob Vylan on TV.

"When the rights and safety of people and communities are at risk, and when the national broadcaster fails to uphold its own standards, we will intervene," she added, and said she will continue to speak to the BBC in the coming days.

Earlier, broadcast regulator Ofcom said the BBC "clearly has questions to answer" over its coverage, and the government questioned why the comments were aired live.

The organisers of Glastonbury have previously said they were "appalled" by the comments, which "crossed a line".

On Sunday, Robinson-Foster responded to the controversy on Instagram, writing "I said what I said" and a statement in defence of political activism, without addressing his on-stage comments in more detail.

Since then, both members of Bob Vylan - who were due to embark on a tour of America later this year - have had their US visas revoked, it is understood.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on X: "Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country."

In response, Bobby Vylan released a video statement on social media on Monday, where he said politicians should be "utterly ashamed" about where their "allegiances lie".

"First it was Kneecap, now it's us two," he said.

"Regardless of how it was said, calling for an end to the slaughter of innocents is never wrong. To civilians of Israel, understand this anger is not directed at you, and don't let your government persuade you that a call against an army is a call against the people.

"To Keir, Kemi and the rest of you, I'll get you at a later date."

Avon and Somerset Police also confirmed the criminal investigation would assess Kneecap's Glastonbury performance.

The Irish-language rap band are known for making pro-Palestinian and political comments during their live performances and have attracted controversy in the past.

Band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying the flag of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig. He has denied the charge.

Although there was no live stream of Kneecap's performance, the BBC later uploaded a largely unedited version of the set to its Glastonbury highlights page on BBC iPlayer.

BBC
Click to expand...
To Keir, Kami and another K…?!?

The KKK..?!?
 
The world has opened its eyes to the Zionist propaganda...

Israel state tv calls Palestinians cockroaches and they should be squashed, yet nobody can call out the IDF
 
The amount of 'due diligence' that's been carried out by Starmer/BBC is embarrassing. Obviously much of the wealth that UK has gained historically is based on colonialism and exploiting vulnerable, so they're well aware of how to suppress voices and how to appease masters.
 
Energy said:
The amount of 'due diligence' that's been carried out by Starmer/BBC is embarrassing. Obviously much of the wealth that UK has gained historically is based on colonialism and exploiting vulnerable, so they're well aware of how to suppress voices and how to appease masters.
Click to expand...
The due diligencers are the benefactors and funders..

The IDF are just the SS in new clothes and colours. Same for the Irgun and Mossad. Stasi and Gestapo rebranded..
 
Rana said:
According to @Rajdeep UK people love Israel and India
Click to expand...

Judges rule against Palestinian human rights group's claim that the UK is illegally arming Israel​


A Palestinian human rights group lost its legal challenge on Monday to the British government's decision to supply Israel with parts for F-35 fighter jets and other military equipment.

Al-Haq alleged that the U.K. broke domestic and international law and was complicit in atrocities against Palestinians by allowing essential components for the warplanes to be supplied to Israel.

The government said the ruling showed it had rigorous export rules and it would continue to review its licensing agreements, a spokesperson said.

The government last year suspended about 30 of 350 existing export licenses for equipment deemed to be for use in the conflict in Gaza because of a “clear risk” the items could be used to violate international humanitarian law. Equipment included parts for helicopters and drones.

But an exemption was made for some licenses related to components of F-35 fighter jets, which are indirectly supplied to Israel through the global spare parts supply chain and have been linked to bombing the Gaza Strip.

While Al-Haq argued the U.K. shouldn’t continue to export parts through what they called a “deliberate loophole” given the government’s own assessment of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law, the government said the parts were distributed to a collaboration involving the U.S. and six other partners to produce the jets.

 
Freedom of speech has taken a good battering since the days of Salman Rushdie. Quite funny watching govts being successfully urged to crack down on any dissenting voices by mainstream media owned by vested interests.
 
UK music festivals have a long history of liberalism and criticism against the ruling class or governments. It started in the 60's with the hippy movement across Europe and America.

Understanding musical lyrics or words are not always literal.

Its the usual far right rednecks, Zionist media and their other slaves who are crying over this.

The struggle of Palestinians is now mainstream, the establishment know this so will be using Nazi type tactics to silence them.

IDF are terrorists, the sooner this entity ceases to exit the better for the world
 
KingKhanWC said:
UK music festivals have a long history of liberalism and criticism against the ruling class or governments. It started in the 60's with the hippy movement across Europe and America.

Understanding musical lyrics or words are not always literal.

Its the usual far right rednecks, Zionist media and their other slaves who are crying over this.

The struggle of Palestinians is now mainstream, the establishment know this so will be using Nazi type tactics to silence them.

IDF are terrorists, the sooner this entity ceases to exit the better for the world
Click to expand...
That musical band is Pro-LGBTQ. Does your support extend to that also or just stops at Palestinian cause?
 
Champ_Pal said:
That musical band is Pro-LGBTQ. Does your support extend to that also or just stops at Palestinian cause?
Click to expand...
What has this got to do with anything and the topic in discussion...

Its amazing the levels Indians will go to...
 
IMMY69 said:
What has this got to do with anything and the topic in discussion...

Its amazing the levels Indians will go to...
Click to expand...
I want to see if this crying over Palestinians extends to LGBT+ also.

It was just a polite enquiry.
 
Champ_Pal said:
That musical band is Pro-LGBTQ. Does your support extend to that also or just stops at Palestinian cause?
Click to expand...

Different topic. Its not the band Im supporting , its their right to use music as art and free speech.

You also clearly dont understand Islamic theology but are quick with these foolish questions. Muslims should not hate any human because of his/her sexual desires and I never have even though I dont agree with it.

If LGBT families were being massacred in a land, I would support them in stopping their killings like most sane human beings.
 
KingKhanWC said:
Different topic. Its not the band Im supporting , its their right to use music as art and free speech.

You also clearly dont understand Islamic theology but are quick with these foolish questions. Muslims should not hate any human because of his/her sexual desires and I never have even though I dont agree with it.

If LGBT families were being massacred in a land, I would support them in stopping their killings like most sane human beings.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your post. I wish many countries had your liberal mindset. They are not even allowed to celebrate their events in public.
 
Champ_Pal said:
Thank you for your post. I wish many countries had your liberal mindset. They are not even allowed to celebrate their events in public.
Click to expand...

It’s not liberalism , it’s valuing human life .

What is happening in Gaza is an issue for humanity which is the world is in uproar .

The band had released a statement , an excellent response
 
Bob Vylan dropped from Manchester music festival

Punk duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from the line-up of a music festival in Manchester following their controversial appearance at Glastonbury.

The group had been due to headline the Radar Festival at Victoria Warehouse on Saturday, but organisers confirmed in a statement they would no longer appear.

In response, Bob Vylan posted a statement on Instagram, telling fans: "Manchester, we will be back."

Bob Vylan had also been due to perform at French festival Kave Fest on Sunday, but organisers told the BBC their appearance there had been pulled too.

At Glastonbury, Bob Vylan's lead singer led the crowd in chants of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]", prompting criticism from across the political spectrum, including the prime minister who called it "appalling hate speech".

He also spoke about a record label boss he used to work for.

The singer said that boss would "speak very strongly about his support for Israel", and had put his name to a letter urging Glastonbury to cancel Irish-language rap trio Kneecap's performance, the musician said.

"Who do I see on that list of names but that bald-headed [expletive] I used to work for. We've done it all, all right? From working in bars to working for [expletive] Zionists."

Bob Vylan responded to the outcry in a post on Instagram on Tuesday, saying they had been "targeted for speaking up".

"We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine," they said.

They added that "we, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story, and whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction".

A criminal investigation into Saturday's performance has already been launched by Avon and Somerset Police.

On Wednesday, a Met Police spokesperson confirmed the band is also under investigation for comments it had made during a concert at Alexandra Palace a month earlier.

"The decision to investigate follows the emergence of footage which appears to have been filmed at the venue on 28 May 2025," the force told the BBC.

However it is not clear when the investigation was officially launched.

In response to the music festival cancellations, the band reiterated their position, telling followers: "Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting." The group added they would return to Manchester in the future.

Organisers of Kave Fest, which is held in the town of Gisors, said they would release a statement later explaining their decision to drop the band.

A German music venue has also confirmed that Bob Vylan will no longer open for US band Gogol Bordello at a concert in Cologne in September.

The BBC has been criticised for broadcasting the Glastonbury set via a live stream which was available on iPlayer.

In an email sent to the BBC's Jewish staff network on Tuesday, the corporation's director general Tim Davie said: "I was, and remain, appalled by Bob Vylan's deeply offensive and totally unacceptable behaviour during his Glastonbury set."

He added the performance had "no place on the BBC" and that "there is absolutely no place for antisemitism at the BBC".

On Tuesday, the UK's chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis strongly criticised "the airing of vile Jew-hate at Glastonbury".

In a statement on Monday, the BBC said: "The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen."

Broadcast regulator Ofcom also issued a statement, saying it was "very concerned" about the live stream, adding that "the BBC clearly has questions to answer".

BBC
 
The same people condemning this band's stance would be dancing to the beat of Harbo Darbo. If you don't know what that song is, better check out. The Saaar stooges community probably wakes up to it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top