‘death To Idf’ Chant Gets Group’s Visas Revoked After Festival Backlash

Punk duo Bob Vylan recovered themselves successful basking h2o this play pursuing a Glastonbury Festival capacity that included chants described arsenic antisemitic. Now, United Talent Agency says it has dropped nan philharmonic enactment pursuing nan consequence to nan performance.

The U.S. State Department has besides revoked nan visas for some members.

During nan set, rapper Bobby Vylan led nan crowd successful chants of “free Palestine” and “death to nan IDF,” referring to nan Israeli Defense Forces.

The capacity took spot during what is 1 of nan U.K.’s biggest euphony festivals. According to The Guardian, Glastonbury drew much than 200,000 attendees this year.

After nan infinitesimal was broadcast unrecorded connected BBC, calls came for nan outlet’s head wide to resign, according to“Good Morning Britain.” 

BBC responds to unrecorded airing

In a statement posted to their website, nan BBC said it “respects state of look but stands firmly against incitement to violence.”

“The judgement connected Saturday to rumor a informing connected surface while streaming online was successful statement pinch our editorial guidelines,” nan connection read. “In addition, we took nan determination not to make nan capacity disposable connected demand. The squad were dealing pinch a unrecorded business but pinch hindsight we should person pulled nan watercourse during nan performance.”

CNN reported British constabulary are now reviewing footage of nan capacity to find whether it qualifies arsenic a criminal offense. Meanwhile, Deadline confirmed that UTA swiftly dropped nan duo.

UTA insiders reportedly shared akin sentiments to Glastonbury organizers, stating Vylan “overstepped nan mark” pinch his remarks.

Other progressive parties’ respond

Glastonbury organizers issued a statement via Instagram complete nan weekend, clarifying that a performer’s quality astatine nan show should not beryllium interpreted arsenic an endorsement of their views.

“We are appalled by nan statements made from nan West Holts shape by Bob Vylan yesterday,” nan connection publication successful part. “Their chants very overmuch crossed a statement and we are urgently reminding everyone progressive successful nan accumulation of nan Festival that location is nary spot astatine Glastonbury for antisemitism, dislike reside aliases incitement to violence.”

Bobby Vylan, however, doubled down successful his ain Instagram post, captioned, “I said what I said.”

“Teaching our children to speak up for nan alteration they want and request is nan only measurement that we make this world a amended place,” he wrote.

 Prime Minister Keir Starmer called nan chants “appalling dislike speech” and added that “there is nary excuse” for that benignant of language, nan BBC reported.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote connected X Monday, “The [State Department] has revoked nan US visas for nan members of nan Bob Vylan set successful ray of their hateful tirade astatine Glastonbury, including starring nan crowd successful decease chants.”

The @StateDept has revoked nan US visas for nan members of nan Bob Vylan set successful ray of their hateful tirade astatine Glastonbury, including starring nan crowd successful decease chants. Foreigners who glorify unit and hatred are not invited visitors to our country.

The duo was group to execute successful cities for illustration Atlanta and New York City this summer.

Kneecap nether scrutiny

Irish hip-hop group Kneecap was besides intimately watched astatine this year’s festival. One of its members, Liam O’Hanna, was charged pinch a coercion discourtesy successful May 2025 aft allegedly displaying a Hezbollah emblem during a capacity astatine O2 Forum Kentish Town on Nov. 21, 2024.

“Officers from nan Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were made alert connected Tuesday, April 22, of an online video from nan event,” constabulary said, according to Roya News. “An investigation was carried out, which led to nan Crown Prosecution Service authorizing nan supra charge.”

At Coachella this past April, Kneecap also drew criticism for starring a crowd chant of “free Palestine.”

“Kneecap should not beryllium fixed a level — and that goes for immoderate performer making threats aliases inciting violence,” Starmer said.