U.K. police reviewing rapper Bobby Vylan's anti-IDF comments at Glastonbury Festival
British police said they were examining videos of a band that led chants of 'death to the IDF' or Israel Defense Forces at Saturday's Glastonbury Festival.
Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the festival in chants of 'free, free Palestine' and 'death, death to the IDF."
Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence would be assessed by officers 'to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation."
The Israeli Embassy to the U.K. said on social media that it was 'deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival."
Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Sunday (June 29, 2025) condemned the band's actions as 'appalling." He told Sky News that the BBC and festival organizers had to answer questions about how the comments were broadcast live to millions.
The government said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's performance.
The BBC said it issued a warning on screen about 'very strong and discriminatory language' during the live stream.
Saturday's festival lineup also included Irish-language rap group Kneecap, which gave an impassioned performance for tens of thousands of fans despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organization for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November.
The rapper, who was charged under the anglicized version of his name, Liam O'Hanna, is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August.
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap performed at Glastonbury Festival despite criticism by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Frontman Liam O'Hanna was charged with a terrorism offense last month https://t.co/pG0VSCcwPlpic.twitter.com/pZDQ1Y7kej — Reuters (@Reuters) June 28, 2025
The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, especially since videos emerged allegedly showing the band shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' and calling on people to kill lawmakers.
On Saturday band members led the audience in chants of 'Free Palestine' and 'Free Mo Chara.' They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was 'appropriate' for Kneecap to play Glastonbury.
About 200,000 ticket holders have turned up in southwest England for Britain's most prestigious summer music festival, which features almost 4,000 performers on 120 stages.
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