US revokes visas for British rock duo after 'death to IDF' chants
They were scheduled to support American-Canadian singer Grandson on his tour starting in Spokane, Washington in October, but the US Department of State has intervened to prevent them entering the country. 'The State Department has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants,' US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on Monday. 'Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.'
Campaign groups including Stop Antisemitism and a handful of Republican politicians had been calling for their visas to be revoked. 'Bob Vylan called for the death of the IDF yesterday at Glastonbury,' Stop Antisemitism wrote on X before the State Department intervened. 'He's coming to the U.S. this fall as part of the Inertia Tour. This antisemite must have his visa denied/rescinded - his hate is not welcome here.'
Florida Congressman Randy Fine, a Republican known for his pro-Israel views , responded to the post saying 'on it'. Republican Senator Ted Cruz also shared a video of Bob Vylan leading 'free Palestine' and 'death to the IDF' chants at Glastonbury on X, condemning it as 'sick'. 'Truly sick. Thousands of people screaming 'Death to the IDF.' This is the base of the Democrat Party,' the Texas representative wrote.
But Bob Vylan singer, Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, doubled down on his comments, writing on Instagram on Sunday: 'I said what I said'. Robinson-Foster said his phone had been 'buzzing non stop' with 'messages of both support and hatred' in the aftermath of his performance. He added: 'As I lay in bed this morning, my phone buzzing non stop, inundated with messages of both support and hatred, I listen to my daughter typing out loud as she fills out a school survey asking for her feedback on the current state of her school dinners.
'She expressed that she would like healthier meals, more options and dishes inspired by other parts of the world. 'Listening to her voice her opinions on a matter that she cares about and affects her daily, reminds me that we may not be doomed after all. 'Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place. 'As we grow older and our fire possibly starts to dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.
'Let us display to them loudly and visibly the right thing to do when we want and need change. 'Let them see us marching in the streets, campaigning on ground level, organizing online and shouting about it on any and every stage that we are offered. 'Today it is a change in school dinners, tomorrow it is a change in foreign policy.' Bob Vylan formed in their hometown of Ipswich, England, in 2017 and have since gone on to release five albums including 2020 debut We Live Here.
The frontman previously spoke about their struggles to get the first album cleared, describing it as being too 'extreme' for some in the music industry. He told the website Louder: 'It was hard to get it released the conventional way - but it was in our power to release it.' Lyrics on their tracks include saying on Britain Makes Me Violent how there is 'nothing great' about Great Britain, while on Reign the frontman declares: 'Got a message for the thieves in the palace, we want the jewels back.'
Touching on the subject of housing in London, their song GYAG states: 'Landlord just raised your rent - mate, get yourself a gun.' As well as tackling subjects such as racism, homophobia, capitalism and toxic masculinity, the duo have also made a big deal about the importance of fatherhood. The singer known as Bobby Vylan has said his daughter gave their debut album We Live Here its name and she also featured on the cover of their single Dream Big. Bob Vylan's entire performance on Saturday afternoon at Glastonbury was live-streamed on the BBC iPlayer but it has since been taken down.
Nevertheless, the corporation was lambasted for failing to cut the broadcast immediately after the 'anti-Israel' chanting. The live-stream continued for another 40 minutes until the end of Bob Vylan's performance. Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence from the performances would be assessed by officers to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation. Glastonbury festival organizer Emily Eavis has described Bob Vylan's chants as having 'very much crossed a line'. She said in a statement: '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.'
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