A spokesperson for Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the government “strongly condemns” Bob Vylan’s remarks. She confirmed that Nandy spoke to the BBC’s Director-General, demanding an explanation on what vetting took place before the performance. The BBC has since decided not to upload Bob Vylan’s set to iPlayer. Kneecap had opened their set by calling out Starmer directly. The UK prime minister had said on June 21 that their invitation to Glastonbury was “not appropriate.” In defiance, the band responded live: “F*** Keir Starmer!” Band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara), who wore a Palestinian keffiyeh during the set, told the crowd: “We understand colonialism. We understand the importance of international solidarity.” He also noted the sea of Palestinian flags waving in the audience: “The BBC editor is going to have some job.” In November, Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a 'terror-related offense' for holding a Hezbollah flag at a London concert. Kneecap’s pro-Palestine and anti-genocide stance drew loud cheers at Glastonbury. Meanwhile, Band member JJ Ó Dochartaigh wore a T-shirt bearing the slogan “We Are All Palestine Action” ahead of the band’s set. British authorities had announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organization.Bob Vylan English punk duo chant “Free Palestine” and “Death to the IDF” at a festival in Glastonbury in denunciation of the Israeli genocide on the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/AZaW9eOIA0
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) June 28, 2025
The Israeli embassy in the UK issued a furious response to the chants of “Death to the IDF” and "Free Palestine", saying it was “deeply disturbed.” It complained that the slogans “advocate for the dismantling of the State of Israel.” UK police say they are now investigating the incident. A BBC spokesperson called Bob Vylan’s chants “deeply offensive” and confirmed that the performance will not be re-broadcast or archived.“Keir Starmer and the British government should be proscribed.”
Irish band Kneecap condemn threats of banning Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws by the British government while pointing out the hypocrisy in the British government directly funding military action in… pic.twitter.com/wYkBXoutY2 — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) June 28, 2025
While UK officials focus on the language used at Glastonbury, human rights advocates point to the real crimes in Gaza. Since October 2023, the Israeli military has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, according to data from health authorities in Gaza. Entire neighborhoods have been leveled, and hospitals, aid convoys, and schools have come under repeated Israeli attack. As Bob Vylan shouted on stage, “Free Palestine,” many in the crowd raised fists and flags in support. The widespread support for the chant “Death to the IDF” reflects mounting global outrage over Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.“They’re making billions of pounds worth of profit to murder innocent people.”
Palestine Action activists headlined at the Glastonbury Festival on Thursday explaining the UK’s complicity in the Israeli genocide on Gaza. pic.twitter.com/VxexKi32Hi — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) June 28, 2025
