Bob Vylan Banned in US After "Death to Israel" Chant Was It Worth It?

US Revokes Visas of British Rap Punk Duo Bob Vylan After Chant Against Israel’s Military

The reverberations from Glastonbury Festival continue to be felt as the United States has revoked the visas of British rap punk duo Bob Vylan. This decision follows the band's controversial performance where they led a crowd in chants against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The incident has sparked widespread debate, drawing reactions from political figures, the media, and the public alike.

Visa Revocation and Official Response

On Monday, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced the visa revocation, stating that the State Department took action “in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants.” Landau further emphasized on X that "foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country."

This move effectively cancels Bob Vylan’s planned US tour, which was scheduled to begin in late October. The US State Department has a well-established policy of aggressively restricting and revoking visas for individuals allegedly supporting terrorism or engaging in anti-Semitism.

The Glastonbury Incident

During their performance on Glastonbury's West Holts Stage, rapper Bobby Vylan took a firm stance, shouting "Free, free Palestine" before leading the crowd in chants of "Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)." The performance also featured a screen displaying the message: “United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a ‘conflict.’”

In response to the controversy, Bobby Vylan posted on Instagram, stating, "I said what I said," and acknowledged receiving "messages of both support and hatred." The post further emphasized the importance of teaching children to speak up for change.

Backlash and Official Condemnation

Bob Vylan’s actions have prompted strong reactions from various entities:

• British Officials: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the chants as "appalling hate speech."
• Israeli Embassy in the UK: Expressed being "deeply disturbed" by the "inflammatory and hateful" rhetoric.
• BBC: Initially streamed the performance live but later removed it from its iPlayer platform. The BBC admitted that, "with hindsight," the performance should have been pulled from the air, adding, "The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves."

Police Investigation

British police are currently reviewing video footage of Bob Vylan’s set, with authorities opening a criminal investigation. Somerset police have stated that they "will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes."

Kneecap Controversy

Adding to the festival's controversies, Irish-language hip-hop trio Kneecap also faced scrutiny. Member Liam O’Hanna, known as Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offense following an investigation related to a London gig in November 2024. Ahead of Glastonbury, Prime Minister Starmer deemed it "not appropriate" for the group to perform. During their set, Kneecap addressed the controversy, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and directly criticizing Starmer.

Bob Vylan's Music and Message

Bob Vylan's music is known for blending genres and confronting social issues such as racism, sexism, and economic inequality. Their Glastonbury performance, however, has overshadowed their artistic expression, raising complex questions about freedom of speech, artistic responsibility, and the potential consequences of expressing controversial political views on a public platform.

The revocation of Bob Vylan's visas and the ongoing investigations underscore the heightened sensitivity surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the potential ramifications for artists who express strong opinions on the matter. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the power of artistic expression and the responsibilities that come with it, especially on a global stage like Glastonbury.

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/30/uk/bob-vylan-uk-band-glastonbury-us-visa-intl-latam