BBC bans ‘high-risk' broadcasts after anti-Israeli calls
The group's lead vocalist encouraged the crowd to chant 'Death, death to the IDF' and 'From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it will be free' during the performance last weekend. Videos circulating on social media show the crowd echoing the chants, with some waving Palestinian flags.
'We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers, listeners, and in particular the Jewish community,' the broadcaster said in a statement released on Thursday.
The BBC noted that the band was classified as 'high risk' ahead of the festival, along with six other acts, but was still permitted to perform with 'appropriate mitigations.' The company admitted to 'errors' in the compliance processes and confirmed that Bob Vylan's set has been permanently removed from BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
The outlet pledged to provide on-site editorial policy support at major music festivals and events moving forward. It also announced plans to issue clearer guidance on the criteria for withdrawing a livestream.
Avon and Somerset Police have launched a criminal investigation into potential public order offenses, saying they 'will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.' UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the BBC for airing the performance; media regulator Ofcom said the broadcaster has questions to answer.
The Israeli Embassy in London said it was 'deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage,' describing it as 'advocacy of ethnic cleansing.'
Earlier this week, the US authorities revoked the visas of Bob Vylan members following the controversial performance, citing national security concerns. The duo, who were scheduled to begin a 20-date US tour later this year, have since been dropped by their agency, United Talent.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations and a rise in anti-Semitic incidents have been reported in many countries since the start of Israel's military operation in Gaza, where more than 56,000 Palestinians have been killed since 2023. The conflict was triggered by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead, with over 200 taken hostage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
4 hours ago
- Russia Today
EU state could block Russian citizens from politics
Lithuania's conservatives have proposed banning Russian passport holders from serving as founders, members or donors of political parties. The bill, drafted by the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TSLKD), the country's largest opposition party, would also require political parties to disclose members with multiple citizenships. The authors argue that nationals from Russia, Belarus and China, which are designated as 'hostile states' by the Lithuanian government, pose a security threat. 'Citizens of hostile states, particularly those connected to Russian oligarchs, may exert influence through political parties,' said bill co-author Dalia Asanaviciute, according to LRT. She claimed that 'Russia allocates significant resources to interfere in democratic and political processes globally, with a focus on our region.' According to LRT, the bill was prompted by a report stating that Alvydas Brusokas, co-founder and donor of the Dawn of Nemunas party, holds dual Lithuanian-Russian citizenship. For centuries, Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire, and between 1940 and 1991, it was a republic within the Soviet Union. Ethnic Russians make up around 5% of the country's population of 2.89 million. Around 14,500 Russian citizens have residency permits in Lithuania, some of whom left Russia for political reasons. As one of the most vocal supporters of Ukraine, Lithuania has been at the forefront of demanding tougher sanctions on Moscow. Earlier this year, the country passed a law allowing the revocation of residency for people who frequently travel to Russia or Belarus 'without objective reasons.' Conservatives also called for an amendment allowing the stripping of Lithuanian citizenship for supporting Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Moscow has described Lithuania's attempts to portray Russia as a threat as 'incitement of Russophobia.'
Russia Today
12 hours ago
- Russia Today
Poland cautions Ukraine over anti-corruption crackdown
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has cautioned Ukraine that halting the fight against corruption would be 'the worst' step the government could take, amid a growing backlash over Kiev's efforts to rein in two key watchdogs. On Tuesday, Ukraine's parliament passed legislation granting the Prosecutor General, a political appointee, direct oversight over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). The law has triggered mass protests at home and a storm of criticism in the West, forcing Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky to take steps to restore the independence of the two organizations. Speaking to Polsat earlier this week, Sikorski stated that Zelensky had been warned 'the worst thing he could do now is to turn away from the fight against corruption.' The Polish Foreign Ministry later echoed his statement on its official X account. The government's attempt to directly control NABU and SAPO has sparked protests in Kiev, Odessa, Dnepr, Lviv and other cities. The country's Western supporters, including the EU and G7 nations, have sharply criticized the move, warning that it undermines Ukraine's commitment to fighting corruption and jeopardizes its path toward European integration. On Thursday, Zelensky submitted a bill to the legislature, the Rada, aimed at restoring the agencies' independence by scaling back the prosecutor general's powers. He insisted the proposal would preserve the independence of anti-corruption institutions while ensuring the strength of the law enforcement system. The Rada is expected to review the proposed measure on July 31. However, FT reported on Friday, citing sources, that up to 70 MPs from Zelensky's Servant of the People party are hesitant to support the bill, fearing it could lead to politically motivated prosecutions against them. NABU and SAPO were created following the US-backed 2014 coup in Kiev as part of sweeping reforms to align Ukraine with Western governance standards. Their establishment was a key condition set by Brussels and the International Monetary Fund in exchange for financial assistance. Both agencies have led high-profile investigations, including some involving figures close to Zelensky.
Russia Today
15 hours ago
- Russia Today
Vatican enlists ‘hot priests' to save faith
The Vatican has invited several influencers and missionaries, referred to as 'hot priests' by fans and media, to an upcoming digital evangelism summit in a bid to reach younger audiences and address declining church attendance. The event kicks off on Monday in Rome and will bring together over 1,000 participants, including clergy, friars, and lay digital communicators. The Vatican is hoping to modernize outreach in the face of growing secularism, particularly in Europe. The guests include several priests who have gained followings not only for their religious messages but also for their appearance and online presence – a combination that has earned them the informal nickname 'hot priests,' as seen in reports by The Telegraph and The Guardian. Among them is Father Giuseppe Fusari, a 58-year-old tattooed bodybuilder and art historian from Brescia with more than 60,000 Instagram followers. His posts often feature a blend of gym photos, scripture, and personal reflections. 'I am convinced that social media is one way to attract people,' Fusari told The Telegraph. A post shared by Giuseppe Fusari (@ Father Cosimo Schena, 46, posts spiritual poetry and photos with his rescue dog Storm to an audience of over 450,000. His online activity reportedly helped double attendance at his parish. A post shared by Don Cosimo Schena (@doncosimoschena) Father Ambrogio Mazza, 34, shares guitar sessions, brief sermons, and scenes from daily life with over 460,000 followers across both TikTok and Instagram. Публикация от Don Ambrogio Mazzai (@ The Vatican has not publicly addressed the 'hot priest' label, but officials say the goal is to equip clergy for meaningful engagement online. The event, organized by the Dicastery for Communication, includes training on content production, digital ethics, and communicating doctrine on social media. The summit precedes the larger Jubilee of Youth gathering in early August and continues a digital strategy launched under Pope Francis and maintained by Pope Leo XIV.
