British police are reviewing footage from the Glastonbury Festival after a band led chants including “death to the IDF” — referring to the Israel Defense Forces — during a live performance.
Rapper Bobby Vylan, one half of the rap-punk duo Bob Vylan, led the audience in chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF” during the group’s Saturday set. The incident has sparked controversy and is now under review by Avon and Somerset Police, who confirmed they are assessing whether any criminal offenses were committed.
Irish-language rap group Kneecap also performed at the festival on the same day. One of its members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (also known by the stage name Mo Chara), is currently facing a terrorism-related charge in connection to allegedly showing support for Hezbollah during a 2023 concert in London. Despite the pending case, the group drew a massive crowd and also led chants supporting Palestine.
In response to the performances, the Israeli Embassy in the U.K. expressed serious concern over what it described as “inflammatory and hateful rhetoric” during the festival.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned Bob Vylan’s performance as “appalling” in an interview on Sky News, and said the BBC — which broadcast parts of the festival — and the event’s organizers should answer questions about how such content was aired. Still, Streeting also called on Israel to address violence by its own citizens toward Palestinians, citing recent events in Gaza and reports of attacks by Israeli settlers on a Christian village.
The U.K. government stated that the culture secretary had discussed the matter with the BBC’s director general. The broadcaster responded by noting that it displayed a content warning for viewers during the performance, cautioning of “very strong and discriminatory language.”
Glastonbury organizers issued a statement on Instagram acknowledging the controversy and stating that the artist’s language “very much crossed a line.” They reiterated that the festival does not tolerate antisemitism, hate speech, or incitement to violence.
“With nearly 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers whose views we do not share,” the statement read. “A performer’s presence here should never be seen as an endorsement of their opinions or beliefs.”
Bob Vylan, known for their outspoken political stance, have kept their real names private and have released four albums since forming in 2017.
Kneecap has also drawn attention for its political messaging, especially regarding the Middle East. The group has previously been accused of glorifying proscribed organizations, with footage allegedly showing them shouting slogans such as “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and calling for violence against politicians. During their Glastonbury performance, the group also led chants supporting their bandmate Mo Chara and criticized U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had earlier stated Kneecap’s participation in the festival was “not appropriate.”
As Glastonbury wrapped up its final day on Sunday, big-name acts such as Rod Stewart, Olivia Rodrigo, and The Prodigy were among those closing out the iconic event, which draws around 200,000 attendees each year to Worthy Farm in southwest England.
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Irish Rap Trio Kneecap Performs at Glastonbury Despite Political Backlash
