‘It's an absolute disgrace' – The Wolfe Tones are ‘totally behind' under-fire Kneecap
'They were just drawing attention to atrocities in Gaza,' says Wolfe Tones' Brian Warfield
Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones performing at the Electric Picnic in 2023. Photo: Kieran Frost/Redferns
The Wolfe Tones are the latest Irish and UK musicians to publicly voice their support for under-fire Belfast group Kneecap.
It follows last week's revelation that the rappers are being investigated by counter-terrorism police in the UK following a video allegedly showing them calling for the deaths of British Tory MPs.
They are also feeling the heat from an incendiary performance at the Coachella music festival in California last month during which they described Israel's military action in Gaza as a US-funded genocide.
As a result, group members have been called anti-Semitic and 'terrorist sympathisers' of Hamas and Hezbollah.
Kneecap have courted controversy in recent weeks
Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 5th
Due to the controversies, Kneecap have had numerous summer festivals and show appearances cancelled in Europe and America.
However, a string of artists including Christy Moore, Fontaines DC, Paul Weller, Pulp, Massive Attack and Shane MacGowan's widow Victoria Mary Clarke are supporting Kneecap.
And in an exclusive interview with the Sunday World, Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones said: 'We are totally behind Kneecap. I believe those young lads are very courageous and we don't want them left out there on their own.
'They are only starting their career and we totally and absolutely support them. It's an absolute disgrace that they are being portrayed as public enemy number one at the moment.
'We went through that ourselves for years. Our music was banned from radio by the then Minister Conor Cruise O'Brien under Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act in the '70s. That Act banned paramilitaries from speaking on the airwaves, but he included us in that saying he didn't want to hear any more Wolfe Tones-type songs on the radio because it was supporting violence in the North.
'So you couldn't sing a song about any Irish hero at all because they felt it was supporting violence. It was a ridiculous comparison to make.'
Singer-songwriter and musician Warfield says he fully backs the stance taken by Kneecap on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones performing at the Electric Picnic in 2023. Photo: Kieran Frost/Redferns
'Kneecap were just drawing attention to the atrocities in Gaza,' Brian says. 'I think that's their objective. They are angry about it. They want to… highlight what's going on because nobody seems to be supporting the Palestinians and nobody seems to be looking at what really is happening, which is a genocide and ethnic cleansing. And I have no doubt about that…it's what Netanyahu wants.
'I support the Palestinian cause and I just don't understand why the world is not up in arms about what's going on.
'It's just heartbreaking when you look at the children being starved. It's very difficult to look at it. I have to force myself to look at it because I want to know what's happening there.
'And just because I would criticise Israel for what is happening in Gaza, it doesn't mean I'm anti-Semitic, far from it. Kneecap criticising Israel doesn't mean they are supporting Hamas or are anti-Semitic or anything like that.
'I believe that everybody has a place in the world and the way the Israelis have treated the Palestinians is beyond belief. It should be called out more and it's not. And that's worrying.
'So I think it's totally unfair to demonise Kneecap for speaking out. They are on the crest of a wave and the way they speak out takes a lot of courage.'
Celebrity Sharon Osbourne has called for Kneecap's work visa to be revoked for America.
'I couldn't believe that,' Brian says. 'I thought she'd be more understanding being married to a famous musician (Ozzy). I thought she'd have a greater understanding of the way musicians are very outspoken about things. '
Kneecap's manager Daniel Lambert said the group are happy to apologise in person to the daughter of murdered British Conservative MP David Amess after the controversy over a chant of 'kill your local MP.'
Kneecap have already published an online apology to the families of Mr Amess and Labour MP Joe Cox after footage from a gig in 2023 allegedly showed one member saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.'
They also insisted that they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
20 minutes ago
- The Journal
A new organisation has taken over Gaza food distribution with disastrous results - who's behind it?
WHILE THE ENTIRE population of the Gaza Strip in Palestine remains on the brink of famine, and Israel refuses to allow in thousands of truckloads of humanitarian aid, an organisation called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has taken over food distribution, with already disastrous results. The introduction of this new US and Israeli-backed entity into the besieged Palestinian territory has been part of Israel's plan to circumvent UN agencies and NGOs that already work in Gaza and have done so for decades. Those UN agencies and officials repeatedly condemned the establishment of the organisation, warning that it would allow Israel to weaponise the provision of food. NGOs said it would only serve to allow Israel to carry out a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, and endorsed by Israeli government officials, which is to remove the Palestinian population from the area. At Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, people mourn those killed while gathering near a GHF centre on 3 June Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Trump's proposal to 'clean out' Gaza has been widely condemned as a plan for ethnic cleansing. The man who was initially heading up the organisation, US military veteran Jake Wood, resigned the day before it began operating in Gaza, citing similar concerns to those expressed by the UN. Israel has said the GHF is a means of preventing food and other supplies from falling into the hands of Hamas. In mid-May, Tom Fletcher of the UN's humanitarian affairs office called the Israeli-US plan to take over aid distribution 'a cynical sideshow'. 'Please stay away' Israeli forces have on a number of occasions now opened fire on crowds of hungry people who were making their way to distribution points operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The term Orwellian may be overused in modern discourse but, in this case, it seems to be the most appropriate description for an ostensibly humanitarian organisation whose distribution centre almost immediately became the site of massacres. One witness to the latest Israeli attack told AFP: 'It's a trap.' Since Wednesday, the GHF has suspended all aid distribution until further notice after Israel declared roads leading to its hubs 'combat zones'. 'Please stay away from distribution sites for your safety,' the GHF said in a Facebook post on Friday. All of the Israeli attacks have taken place at a centre in the Tal al-Sultan area outside Rafah City in the far south of the territory. Advertisement Palestinians carry boxes and bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The first deadly incident happened on the morning of Sunday, 25 May, when 31 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire , according to the Gaza Civil Defence agency. The following morning, Israeli forces shot dead three people, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). And last Tuesday, 27 people were killed by Israeli fire near the site, according to health officials. Israel has denied firing on civilians, saying it fired 'warning shots ' and calling early reports 'false' while the GHF initially did likewise. The Israeli military did admit firing at 'suspects' who they said had moved in their soldiers' direction on Tuesday. Who funds and runs the GHF? The short answer to the question of who funds the GHF is, we don't know. The organisation is registered in the United States and while it has a website , all it says is: 'Delivering critical aid and support to the people of Gaza. More information coming soon'. The New York Times reported that the idea for an organisation like the GHF first came from Israel and opposition politician Yair Lapid has suggested it is funded by the Israeli government. People carry away supplies from a GHF centre in Gaza Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The GHF said last month that a Western European country had donated more than $100 million but did not name the country. As for who runs the GHF, a little more is known. A former USAID contractor, John Acree, took over as John Wood's interim replacement and an evangelical preacher and former Trump campaign advisor named Reverend Johnnie Moore was named the new chairman on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, US consulting firm Boston Consulting Group, whose participation had not previously been disclosed, terminated its contract with the GHF. With reporting from AFP Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... Our Explainer articles bring context and explanations in plain language to help make sense of complex issues. We're asking readers like you to support us so we can continue to provide helpful context to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
38 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
'We do not fear them' - flotilla activists in bid to reach Gaza
Under the heat of the Mediterranean sun, a small group of activists is currently making its way by water to one of the the most dangerous places on earth. Their destination? Gaza. Their mission? To "break the siege and to create a people's humanitarian corridor". This small sailboat carrying 12 volunteers from around the world - including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg - is named the Madleen. It is the latest ship to attempt the audacious crossing to Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. "When you see people starving to death, you bring them food," Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila tells RTÉ News from the ship, which set sail from Sicily last Sunday and aims to arrive in Gaza on Monday morning. "We're bringing food, medicine, crutches, prosthetics for amputated children and water filters," Thiago said, though he acknowledges it is just a "drop in the ocean" of what is required. "We are (on) a small boat of 18 metres, but it is carrying the hope of millions and millions of people." However, the Madleen faces significant obstacles in reaching its destination. In a statement to RTÉ News, Israel's Defense Forces said it intended to enforce a "security naval blockade" on Gaza and is "prepared for a wide range of scenarios". Despite that, Thiago remains defiant. "We do not fear them. They can't threaten us. In the end, we know that we have the social majorities of the world with us." What is the Freedom Flotilla Coalition? The Madleen ship was launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which describes itself as a "grassroots people-to-people solidarity movement composed of campaigns and initiatives to end the blockade of Gaza". It has been organising flotillas since 2010 with the aim of breaking the Israeli maritime blockade on Gaza. The FFC has emphasised that all volunteers and crew on board the Madleen are trained in non-violence and are sailing "unarmed in a peaceful act of civil resistance against Israel's actions in Gaza". The launch of the Madleen in Italy last weekend received media attention around the world. Hope Greta and her friends can swim! — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 1, 2025 It was also attended by a number of Irish people who showed their support for the mission, including activist Caoimhe Butterly, actor Liam Cunningham and Senator Lynn Ruane. However, the Madleen has also attracted criticism from supporters of Israel, most notably from US Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who was rebuked for his social media on the launch. Damage to previous FFC ship Last month, another vessel operated by the group, the Conscience, caught fire before it was due to set sail for Gaza. The ship had been en route to Malta to collect a large contingent of activists, including Greta Thunberg, when the incident occurred in the early hours of 2 May. According to the FFC, the fire was caused by an Israeli-operated drone. "While it was 14 nautical miles from the coast of Malta in international waters, it came under attack," said Huwaida Arraf, a spokesperson for the Freedom Flotilla. "A drone fired two missiles at the front of the ship, igniting a fire and compromising the hull." Israel has not responded to requests for comment. Images posted online by the FFC appear to show damage to the hull of the ship. The Maltese government has confirmed that its Vessel Traffic Services received a mayday call from the Conscience just after midnight on 2 May, "reporting a fire on the bow while outside territorial waters". A tug boat arrived on the scene and began the firefighting operation, and all crew were confirmed safe. After two weeks at sea, the ship was permitted to dock in Malta, and its crew and passengers disembarked safely. Irish involvement in previous flotillas Since the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was established in 2010, Irish people have been involved in a number of attempted operations. Five Irish activists were detained in Israel when soldiers took control of the MV Rachel Corrie, which had been attempting to deliver aid to Gaza in 2010. The vessel had been following a flotilla of aid vessels which was raided by Israeli troops the week previous. Nine people were killed in the incident and 30 wounded. Both sides accused the other of causing the deadly violence. All passengers on the MV Rachel Corrie returned home safely. The following year in 2011, an Irish ship named MV Saoirse was damaged while docked in a Greek port - an incident described by the activists as "deliberate sabotage". Some of the crew attempted another crossing on the Saoirse, which was later intercepted by the Israeli Navy in what was a "violent and dangerous" operation, according to those on board. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy (then a Socialist Party MEP) and former Ireland rugby player Trevor Hogan were among 14 Irish activists detained in an Israeli jail for a number of days. Recalling the incident, Trevor Hogan said: "Initially we all were very hopeful that we might actually get through, and then on the fifth morning, we saw the naval ship around the horizon, and it just escalated from there". "We were essentially then chased down and kidnapped when we were still in international waters. "They wanted us to sign a document to say that we'd entered Israel illegally, which was completely lies." Despite the tense and difficult encounter, Trevor said he remained committed to the objectives of the operation. "In the moment, you don't actually feel too afraid, because you know you're doing the right thing - you're standing up for justice." Now, almost 14 years on, he says he admires the bravery of those on board the Madleen, adding: "To me it's even more courageous to go out there now." He says it is vitally important that the world stands together to reject and punish the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza, where Palestinians are "suffering the most horrendous starvation". He hopes that the efforts by civil society groups like the Freedom Flotilla can give some small comfort of support to the Palestinians, while also pushing governments of the world to "actually respond and impose sanctions". "So all these small actions, they can help."
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Kerry woman has triggered great interest in Irish dancing at elite English university
A Tralee woman has sparked great interest in Irish dancing in the unlikely surroundings of an elite English university.
