British police are evaluating whether politically charged performances at the Glastonbury Festival crossed the line into criminal territory.
At a Glance
- British police are reviewing performances by two bands at the Glastonbury Festival over anti-Israel comments.
- Irish hip-hop group Kneecap led the crowd in a chant of “Get the f—ing Israelis out of Glastonbury.”
- The Avon and Somerset Police are assessing video evidence to determine if a criminal offense was committed.
- The Israeli Embassy has expressed “serious concern,” while UK politicians have offered a divided response.
A Festival Performance Under Police Review
The world-famous Glastonbury Festival has become the center of a new controversy after politically charged performances by two bands on Saturday prompted a police review. The Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap and the London-based punk duo Bob Vylan are under scrutiny for anti-Israel comments made during their sets on the West Holts stage.
The local police force, Avon and Somerset Police, has confirmed they are looking into the matter. “We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon,” the police said in a statement.
The Controversial Chants
The most explicit incident involved the Belfast-based group Kneecap, who have a history of politically charged performances. During their set, they led the audience in a chant of, “Get the f—ing Israelis out of Glastonbury.” The chant has drawn widespread condemnation and has raised questions about whether it constitutes incitement.
The punk duo Bob Vylan also made comments critical of Israel’s military actions during their performance, adding to the controversy. In response, police have stated that “Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation,” according to reports from Reuters.
A Divided Official Response
The incident has drawn reactions from across the political and diplomatic spectrum. The Israeli Embassy in London expressed “serious concern” over the rhetoric and its potential to stir up animosity.
The response from the UK government has been more complex. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously criticized the festival’s decision to invite Kneecap in the first place, calling it “inappropriate.” After the performance, Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the chants but added a critical message for Israel. “I’d also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank,” Streeting told KFGO News.
The performances, which were broadcast by the BBC, have ignited a fierce debate about the line between artistic freedom, political protest, and hate speech, with the outcome of the police review now being closely watched.
