Glastonbury organisers appalled by band’s ‘death to’ Israeli military chant

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Glastonbury organisers appalled by band’s ‘death to’ Israeli military chant

June 29, 2025 3:08 PM UTC Updated ago

Item 1 of 6 Revellers gather as Kneecap performs at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

[1/6] Revellers gather as Kneecap performs at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab

Summary

Punk duo Bob Vylan led chant against Israel’s IDF

Festival organisers say comments crossed the line

UK police consider whether to open investigation

GLASTONBURY, England, June 29 (Reuters) – Glastonbury organisers said on Sunday they were appalled by on-stage chanting against the Israeli military during a performance by Punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, saying the music festival was no place for antisemitism or incitement to violence.

During their show on Saturday, the duo chanted “Death, death, to the IDF” in reference to the Israel Defense Forces, the formal name of the Israeli military.

British police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after artists at Glastonbury made anti-Israel comments on stage, without naming Bob Vylan.

“Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation,” Avon and Somerset Police, in western England where the festival is held, said on X late on Saturday.

Glastonbury Festival criticised the chanting by Bob Vylan, which comprises the guitarist-singer with the stage name Bobby Vylan and a drummer known as Bobbie Vylan.

“Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence,” it said on Sunday.

The Israeli Embassy in Britain condemned the “inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed” on stage at the festival.

Bob Vylan’s band members did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

KNEECAP NEXT ON STAGE

Their show on the festival’s West Holts stage took place just before controversial Irish rap trio Kneecap played to a huge crowd, leading chants against British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and also taking aim at Israel.

During the show, frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh accused Israel of committing war crimes, saying: “There’s no hiding it.”

Known by the stage name Mo Chara, he was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert. He has denied the charge.

Senior members of Starmer’s government also criticised the chants by Bob Vylan.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said it was appalling that the comments had been made on stage, adding that he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

“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 Sky News.

“I wish they’d take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously.”

Political commentator Ash Sarkar said it was typical of punk musicians to spark controversy.

“Don’t book punk bands if you don’t want them to do punk stuff,” said Sarkar, a contributing editor to Novara Media, a leftist media organisation.

Reporting by Paul Sandle and Sophie Royle; Writing by Paul Sandle and William Schomberg; Editing by Helen Popper

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