‘Stop the genocide' – Kneecap release short film calling for arms embargo against Israel
The film, which was released on the Irish rappers' social media channels this evening, is entitled 'Stop the Genocide' and features testimony from a plastic surgeon, an emergency physician, a Palestinian activist and an artist..
The video leads with the voice of Mo Chara or Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who says: 'Genocide is a crime against humanity.'
'It is the intention to destroy, in whole or in part, a group of people simply because of who they are. To act to cause them serious bodily and mental harm, by deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about their physical destruction by killing them en masse,' he says.
The video also calls for an arms embargo and for viewers to get involved in the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.
The final frame shows a QR code to the stopthegenocide.info site which includes information on contributors and how to support the Palestinian cause.
The film's release comes days before they are set to the take to the stage at Glastonbury music festival.
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The group have faced mounting controversy in recent weeks following a charge brought against one of their members under the Terrorism Act.
Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in June charged with supporting a proscribed organisation.
The charge relates to an incident at a London concert in November 2024, where the rapper was alleged to have held up a Hezbollah flag and encouraged support for both Hezbollah and Hamas from the stage.
He denies the allegations and has been released on unconditional bail ahead of a further court hearing scheduled for August.
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The charge has sparked widespread political and public debate, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer stating it would be 'inappropriate' for the group to perform at Glastonbury while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch went further, calling for the BBC to refrain from broadcasting Kneecap's set.
Leo Varadkar yesterday criticised Keir Starmer's comments on the band, saying the Prime Minister should not 'try to censor' the Irish language rap group.
Earlier today, the UK Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said the trio, who released a critically acclaimed biopic film last year, 'thrive on the oxygen of publicity' and said she agreed with the Prime Minister's comments around Kneecap's Glastonbury set, which is set to take place on Saturday afternoon.
But Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis said people who do not agree with the politics of the event "can go somewhere else".
Michael (89), and his daughter, organiser Emily Eavis, could be seen counting down and cheering as a brass band as they opened the gates to the festival earlier.
The festival has always had a political element to it with stages such as Left Field and Green Fields' Speakers Forum welcoming politicians, pundits and celebrities to speak on topics that range from feminism to fascism.
Asked if the event still stands for something, Michael told Glastonbury Free Press, the festival's resident newspaper: "Oh heaven's above, yes, of course it does.
"And I think the people that come here are into all those things. People that don't agree with the politics of the event can go somewhere else!"
Michael, who has used a wheelchair to get around the festival in recent years, said he still gets "really excited" for the five-day celebration of performing arts and music, though he can "no longer run around like I used to".
He told the paper: "I still take a lot of pleasure from all of it. I'm enjoying every day. And Emily is doing so well. I'm just feeling really safe with the show being in her hands."
Kneecap also faced recent controversy after footage from a November 2023 gig circulated online which appeared to show a member stating 'Kill your local MP.' They late apologised to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox.
The group were also removed from the line-up of the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow after organisers cited security concerns raised by Police Scotland.
In response, Kneecap have insisted they do not support terrorist organisations and have described the allegations as 'politically motivated.'
Despite the controversy, the group's rescheduled Glasgow show sold out in under two minutes, and high-profile figures including author Irvine Welsh and members of Massive Attack have publicly supported their right to free speech.
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