British police are currently reviewing video footage featuring rap punk duo Bob Vylan, who sparked controversy during their performance at the Glastonbury Festival by leading chants of “free, free Palestine” and “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces). The Avon and Somerset Police stated they would assess whether any criminal offences had occurred.
The Israeli Embassy in the UK expressed its deep concern over the “inflammatory and hateful rhetoric” displayed during the festival, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the band’s actions as “appalling”. He urged both the BBC and the festival organisers to address how such commentary was broadcasted live to millions. However, he also called on Israel to take more responsibility for violence by its own citizens against Palestinians, referencing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and recent attacks by Israeli settlers.
The UK government, through its culture secretary, engaged with the BBC’s director general regarding the performance, while the BBC issued a warning about the use of “very strong and discriminatory language” during the live telecast. Festival organisers took to Instagram to express that the chants had “crossed a line,” reinforcing that Glastonbury denounces antisemitism, hate speech, and incitement to violence.
Despite the controversies, Glastonbury remains the largest music festival in the UK, attracting around 200,000 festival-goers annually and showcasing nearly 4,000 acts. The event also featured Irish-language rap group Kneecap, who faced their own allegations of promoting extremist views. One of their members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, has been charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly supporting a banned organisation.
Performing the same day, Kneecap led their audience in chants supporting Palestine and aimed heated remarks at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had previously questioned the appropriateness of their participation in the festival.
As Glastonbury 2025 approaches its conclusion, prominent artists such as Rod Stewart and Olivia Rodrigo are set to perform, amidst ongoing debates about free speech, social responsibility, and the complexities of political expression in the music industry.