Controversy at Glastonbury: Calls for violence against Israeli military made on stage

The renowned Glastonbury Rock Festival in the UK found itself embroiled in a scandal this year due to the actions of the Bob Vylan duo, who used the stage as a platform to shout calls for the killing of the Israeli military. The festival took place from June 25 to June 29 in Somerset County and was broadcast live by the BBC media corporation.

Initially, there was a decision not to broadcast the performance of the Irish rap group Kneecap, known for its pro-Palestinian stance. However, political statements still made their way onto the Glastonbury stage. During a performance on June 28, Bobby Vylan, one half of the British duo Bob Vylan, initiated anti-Israeli chants while a backdrop on the stage displayed a message that read, “Liberate Palestine. The UN called it genocide. The BBC calls it a ‘conflict’.” This led to a response from the audience joining in with chants of “Free Palestine” and “Death to the IDF,” accompanied by the waving of Palestinian flags.

Following the controversial performance, the BBC had to issue an apology for not intervening to stop the broadcast. The festival organizers condemned the actions of the duo, stating that they had “crossed the line” and emphasizing that there is no place for anti-Semitism, hate speech, or incitement to violence at Glastonbury.

The incident prompted reactions from various political figures, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Minister of Culture Lisa Nandy calling for explanations from the BBC on how such slogans made it on air. The BBC clarified that while they respect freedom of speech, they do not condone incitement to violence.

Deputy Minister of the Interior Chris Philp called for an investigation not only into the musicians’ slogans but also into the BBC’s handling of the situation. Meanwhile, Somerset Police urged the public not to escalate the situation further as an investigation was already underway.

In response to the controversy, the US canceled the American visas of Bob Vylan musicians, preventing their upcoming tour in the country. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that individuals who promote violence and hatred are not welcome in the US. Bobby Vylan stood by his actions, emphasizing the importance of political activism, especially for young people.

While the incident at Glastonbury stirred up debate and repercussions for the Bob Vylan duo, it also shed light on other performances at the festival, such as street artist Banksy’s presentation a year earlier and actor Michael J. Fox’s appearance with the band Coldplay, highlighting the diverse range of acts and events that take place at Glastonbury.