Latest news with #StoptheGenocide
The National
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Kneecap playing 'satirical characters' on stage, Mo Chara says
In an interview with The Guardian – the only official interview the group have given ahead of their much-contested Glastonbury performance – Ó hAnnaidh called his on-stage persona a character after he was asked if he regrets holding a Hezbollah flag, which led to him being charged with terror offences. The singer said: 'It's a joke. I'm a character. Shit is thrown on stage all the time. If I'm supposed to know every fucking thing that's thrown on stage, I'd be in Mensa, Jesus Christ. READ MORE: 'Stop the Genocide': Kneecap release film with Gaza surgeons ahead of Glastonbury set 'I don't know every proscribed organisation – I've got enough shit to worry about up there. I'm thinking about my next lyric, my next joke, the next drop of a beat.' Ó hAnnaidh described Kneecap as 'satirical' when pressed about an old video from a Kneecap gig that resurfaced after their Coachella set, showing the group saying things "the only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP". He told The Guardian: 'Why should I regret it? It was a joke – we're playing characters, it's satirical, it's a fucking joke. And that's not the point. 'The point is, that [video] wasn't an issue until we said 'Free Palestine' at Coachella. That stuff happened 18 months ago, and nobody batted an eyelid. 'Everybody agreed it was a fucking joke, even people that may have been in the room that didn't agree – it's a laugh, we're all having a bit of craic. 'The point is, and the context is, it all [resurfaced] because of Coachella. That's what we should be questioning, not whether I regret things.' READ MORE: IDF soldiers ordered to shoot deliberately at unarmed Gazans waiting for aid The trio are set to perform at Glastonbury on Saturday June 28, though the BBC are unlikely to broadcast their performance. On Thursday, they announced the release of a film ahead of their performance titled Stop the Genocide, which features testimony from medics working on the ground in the enclave and Palestinians directly affected by the genocide. Kneecap have repeatedly pointed out that they 'are not the story', the genocide is, after a leaked letter showed a number of music execs echoing Keir Starmer's views that the group should not be allowed to perform at the festival.
Sunday World
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Kneecap release film calling for arms embargo against Israel
The film's release comes days before they are set to the take to the stage at Glastonbury music festival in the UK. Kneecap has released a short film calling for an arms embargo against Israel ahead of their appearance at Glastonbury. The film, which was released on the Irish rappers' social media channels this evening, is entitled 'Stop the Genocide' and features contributions from Palestinian activists and human rights experts, such as Ghassan Ghaben, Dr James Smith, Malak Mattar, and Dr Rossel Morhij. It also includes a link to a website which features resources for those who wish to learn more about the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The west Belfast trio are listed as producers on the film. The film's release comes days before they are set to the take to the stage at Glastonbury Festival. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The group have faced mounting controversy in recent weeks following a charge brought against one of their members under the Terrorism Act. Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in June charged with supporting a proscribed organisation. The charge relates to an incident at a London concert in November 2024, where the rapper was alleged to have held up a Hezbollah flag and encouraged support for both Hezbollah and Hamas from the stage. He denies the allegations and has been released on unconditional bail ahead of a further court hearing scheduled for August. Kneecap The charge has sparked widespread political and public debate, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stating it would be 'inappropriate' for the group to perform at Glastonbury while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch went further, calling for the BBC to refrain from broadcasting Kneecap's set. Earlier today, the UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the trio, who released a critically acclaimed biopic film last year, 'thrive on the oxygen of publicity' and said she agreed with the Prime Minister's comments around Kneecap's Glastonbury set, which is set to take place on Saturday afternoon. But Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis said people who do not agree with the politics of the event "can go somewhere else". Eavis (89), and his daughter, organiser Emily Eavis, could be seen counting down and cheering as a brass band as they opened the gates to the festival earlier. Kneecap News in 90 Seconds - June 26th The festival has always had a political element to it with stages such as Left Field and Green Fields' Speakers Forum welcoming politicians, pundits and celebrities to speak on topics that range from feminism to fascism. Asked if the event still stands for something, Eavis told Glastonbury Free Press, the festival's resident newspaper: "Oh heaven's above, yes, of course it does. "And I think the people that come here are into all those things. People that don't agree with the politics of the event can go somewhere else!" Sir Michael, who has used a wheelchair to get around the festival in recent years, said he still gets "really excited" for the five-day celebration of performing arts and music, though he can "no longer run around like I used to". He told the paper: "I still take a lot of pleasure from all of it. I'm enjoying every day. And Emily is doing so well. I'm just feeling really safe with the show being in her hands." Kneecap also faced recent controversy after footage from a November 2023 gig circulated online which appeared to show a member stating 'Kill your local MP.' They late apologised to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox. The group were also removed from the line-up of the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow after organisers cited security concerns raised by Police Scotland. In response, Kneecap have insisted they do not support terrorist organisations and have described the allegations as 'politically motivated.' Despite the controversy, the group's rescheduled Glasgow show sold out in under two minutes, and high-profile figures including author Irvine Welsh and members of Massive Attack have publicly supported their right to free speech.
Irish Independent
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘Stop the genocide' – Kneecap release short film calling for arms embargo against Israel
The film, which was released on the Irish rappers' social media channels this evening, is entitled 'Stop the Genocide' and features testimony from a plastic surgeon, an emergency physician, a Palestinian activist and an artist.. The video leads with the voice of Mo Chara or Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who says: 'Genocide is a crime against humanity.' 'It is the intention to destroy, in whole or in part, a group of people simply because of who they are. To act to cause them serious bodily and mental harm, by deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about their physical destruction by killing them en masse,' he says. The video also calls for an arms embargo and for viewers to get involved in the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. The final frame shows a QR code to the site which includes information on contributors and how to support the Palestinian cause. The film's release comes days before they are set to the take to the stage at Glastonbury music festival. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. The group have faced mounting controversy in recent weeks following a charge brought against one of their members under the Terrorism Act. Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in June charged with supporting a proscribed organisation. The charge relates to an incident at a London concert in November 2024, where the rapper was alleged to have held up a Hezbollah flag and encouraged support for both Hezbollah and Hamas from the stage. He denies the allegations and has been released on unconditional bail ahead of a further court hearing scheduled for August. ADVERTISEMENT The charge has sparked widespread political and public debate, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer stating it would be 'inappropriate' for the group to perform at Glastonbury while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch went further, calling for the BBC to refrain from broadcasting Kneecap's set. Leo Varadkar yesterday criticised Keir Starmer's comments on the band, saying the Prime Minister should not 'try to censor' the Irish language rap group. Earlier today, the UK Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said the trio, who released a critically acclaimed biopic film last year, 'thrive on the oxygen of publicity' and said she agreed with the Prime Minister's comments around Kneecap's Glastonbury set, which is set to take place on Saturday afternoon. But Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis said people who do not agree with the politics of the event "can go somewhere else". Michael (89), and his daughter, organiser Emily Eavis, could be seen counting down and cheering as a brass band as they opened the gates to the festival earlier. The festival has always had a political element to it with stages such as Left Field and Green Fields' Speakers Forum welcoming politicians, pundits and celebrities to speak on topics that range from feminism to fascism. Asked if the event still stands for something, Michael told Glastonbury Free Press, the festival's resident newspaper: "Oh heaven's above, yes, of course it does. "And I think the people that come here are into all those things. People that don't agree with the politics of the event can go somewhere else!" Michael, who has used a wheelchair to get around the festival in recent years, said he still gets "really excited" for the five-day celebration of performing arts and music, though he can "no longer run around like I used to". He told the paper: "I still take a lot of pleasure from all of it. I'm enjoying every day. And Emily is doing so well. I'm just feeling really safe with the show being in her hands." Kneecap also faced recent controversy after footage from a November 2023 gig circulated online which appeared to show a member stating 'Kill your local MP.' They late apologised to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox. The group were also removed from the line-up of the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow after organisers cited security concerns raised by Police Scotland. In response, Kneecap have insisted they do not support terrorist organisations and have described the allegations as 'politically motivated.' Despite the controversy, the group's rescheduled Glasgow show sold out in under two minutes, and high-profile figures including author Irvine Welsh and members of Massive Attack have publicly supported their right to free speech.
Belfast Telegraph
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast rappers Kneecap release short film calling for arms embargo against Israel
The film, which was released on the Irish rappers' social media channels this evening, is entitled 'Stop the Genocide' and features contributions from Palestinian activists and human rights experts, such as Ghassan Ghaben, Dr James Smith, Malak Mattar, and Dr Rossel Morhij.
