Israel slams BBC for airing ‘death to IDF' chant during Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set – as calls grow to arrest singer

The Sun

20 hours ago

ISRAEL has blasted the BBC and Glastonbury for failing to cut off double-act Bob Vylan's "death to the IDF" chants during a live broadcast the festival.
The singer from the pro-Palestine punk act, who keeps his identity secret, also shouted "from the river to the sea Palestine... will be free" - regarded by Jews as a call for Israel's elimination.
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IDF stands for Israel Defence Forces, the national military of the State of Israel, which is currently involved with the war in the Palestinian territory the Gaza Strip.
Bob Vylan - which consists of singer Bobby Vylan and guitarist Bobbie Vylan - then shared a post on X of the former eating an ice-cream with the caption: "While Zionists are crying on socials, I've just had a late night (vegan) ice cream."
The BBC later took down the broadcast on the iPlayer but has been criticised for not cutting it off immediately after the anti-Semitic chanting, with the live feed continuing for another 40 minutes.
Avon and Somerset Police last night said they were examining video evidence and investigating if any offence had been committed.
Sharren Haskel, Israel's deputy foreign minister, was among those to slam the performance.
She told The Mail on Sunday: "I condemn the BBC for continuing to live-stream anti-Israel hate speech from Glastonbury.
"What do you think the BBC would have done had a performer been shouting anti-Muslim or far-Right hate speech? They would have pulled the feed.
"But because the target is Israel – let's be honest, because it's Jews – it's tolerated, even broadcast. This is clearly incitement."
May Golan, Israel's minister for social equality, said: "Perhaps someone should tell that anti-Semitic band what happened to the hundreds of innocent people at Israel's Nova music festival who were murdered, raped, butchered, and kidnapped by savage monsters."
Lord Ian Austin, the Government's trade envoy to Israel, said: "The police should investigate as a matter of urgency and, if necessary, arrest the band members."
Lead singer from the group Kneecap arriving at Westminster magistrates court in London
The Bob Vylan set came immediately before controversial group Kneecap, which the Beeb had refused to show live.
Singer Liam Og O hAnnaidh was charged under the Terrorism Act last month after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist group Hezbollah while saying "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" during a gig in Kentish Town, north London, in November.
The band's X account posted a photo of member JJ O Dochartaigh in a t-shirt with the words "We Are All Palestine Action" an hour before they took to the stage.
The British government is considering making membership of the anti-Israel activist group illegal.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has the power to proscribe any such group under the Terrorism Act of 2000 if she believes it is "concerned in terrorism".
Kneecap - whose set is still available to stream - also chanted about Palestine, as well as making derogatory statements about PM Sir Keir Starmer, who last week said they should not be allowed to perform at the festival.
Commenting on the chants about the IDF, a BBC spokesperson says: 'Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan's set were deeply offensive.
"During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language," the response continues.
"We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.'
Bob Vylan, who formed eight years ago in London, refuse to reveal their real names because of what they call the "surveillance state".
Addressing the crowd of around 30,000, Bobby said he had to be "careful" because their performance was "live on the BBC".
He then, however, led the "free, free Palestine" chant, then changing it to "death, death to the IDF".
"Hell, yeah, from the river to the sea Palestine must, will be, Inshallah, it will be free," he added.
The singer also backed Kneecap by describing music executives who called for the group to be banned as "Zionists".
He went on to use the highly offensive c-word.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch branded the comments "grotesque", adding: "Glorifying violence against Jews isn't edgy.
"The cultural establishment needs to wake up to the fact this isn't protest, it's incitement."
Danny Cohen, former director of BBC Television, said: "That something like this might happen could easily have been foreseen by the BBC and measures could have been taken to prevent its broadcast.
"This is a very serious failure, and further evidence that BBC management are blind to their responsibility to Britain's Jewish community."
Kneecap member Naoise Ó Caireallain called on the crowd to "riot" outside Westminster magistrates in August when bandmate O hAnnaidh's case returns to court.
Kneecap started their performance by chanting "f*** Keir Starmer".
They also spoke out in support of Palestine Action.
Glastonbury had said while all are welcome at the festival but added it "does not condone hate speech or incitement to violence of any kind from its performers".
Avon and Somerset Police posted on X: "We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation."
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