Kneecap describe decision to ban them from Hungary as ‘political distraction'

Irish Independent

3 days ago

The trio, who are outspoken supporters of Palestine, were due to perform at Sziget Festival on August 11 and remain on the line-up on its website.
Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs wrote on social media platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was because the group's "members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups".
But in a statement posted on Instagram, Kneecap described the decision to bar them from entry as "political distraction" and pointed out that none of the group has any criminal convictions.
A spokeswoman for Sziget Festival also described the move as "unnecessary and regrettable".
"Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution," she added.
The statement from Kneecap said: "To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we're sorry we won't be with you.
"The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we 'pose a national security threat'.
"Which is f****** outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago.
"There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices whenever we see it.
"It's clear that this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people."
Government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote in a post on X: "Hungary's government has moved to ban Kneecap from entering the country and performing at Sziget ... citing antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah as justification.'
Kovacs later posted the official letters from immigration authorities banning the band for three years, claiming that their entry would "seriously threaten national security".
In May, member Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism offence in Britain for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Hezbollah. He denies the offence.
Representatives of Kneecap did not immediately reply to requests for comment. The band has said previously that its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah, and that it condemns "all attacks on civilians, always".
Hungary's government had already asked festival organisers to drop Kneecap from the line-up at the week-long event, which draws several hundred thousand music lovers to an island in the River Danube each year.
More than 150 artists and cultural figures, including Academy Award-winning director Laszlo Nemes Jeles, have also signed a petition protesting against Kneecap's participation.
Sziget organisers, who said they had not been notified of the government's decision, have resisted the calls to scrap Kneecap's planned performance on August 11.
"Our festival remains true to what we have consistently achieved over the past 30 years: there is no place for hatred, incitement, prejudice, or any form of racism or anti-Semitism," they said in a statement last week.
Sziget's other performers this year include Post Malone, Shawn Mendes and Charli XCX.