Glastonbury Festival has distanced itself from calls for the murder of Israelis after footage emerged of a performer leading chants of “Death, death, death to the IDF” on one of its main stages, prompting a police review.
The controversial scenes unfolded on Saturday during a performance by rap-punk duo Bob Vylan on the West Holts stage, shortly before the equally provocative Irish group Kneecap. Vylan was filmed leading the crowd in multiple anti-Israel hate chants, including “Death, death to the IDF,” while launching into tirades against “Zionists in the music industry”.
In a statement promptly issued to Jewish News on Saturday evening, Glastonbury organisers said: “Glastonbury Festival does not condone hate speech or incitement to violence of any kind from its performers.”
The festival’s remarks came as police confirmed they are now assessing footage of the performances to determine whether any criminal offences were committed.
Further controversy followed when Kneecap took to the same stage, draped in Palestinian flags. Group member Naoise O Caireallain called on fans to “riot” outside a London court — comments he later appeared to walk back after briefly leaving the stage. Another bandmate, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, currently faces charges related to alleged support for Hezbollah and is due in court this August.
Despite earlier reports that the BBC would not stream Kneecap’s performance live, the broadcaster confirmed Bob Vylan’s set — including the chants – aired without edits or bleeping. The BBC says it is “reviewing the content” before deciding whether to make it available on-demand.
Vylan also recited the controversial slogan, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, inshallah,” a phrase widely seen as calling for the elimination of Israel.
A spokesperson for the Israeli embassy called the scenes “deeply disturbing,” warning that chants glorifying death and violence have no place in public discourse – let alone broadcast entertainment”.
