Kneecap banned from performing at major festival as Irish rappers accused of ‘anti-Semitic hate speech' & Hamas praise
The Belfast group were due to play at the Sziget Festival next month but their appearance has been blocked by the Hungarian government, who have accused them of using anti-Semitic hate speech and praising the Hamas militant group.
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Kneecap were due to perform at Sziget next month
Credit: Major Kata
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Kneecap have been banned from entering Hungary
Credit: AFP or licensors
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A spokesperson from Hungary's government claimed Kneecap's entry would 'seriously threaten national security'
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Zoltan Kovacs, a spokesman for Viktor Orban's government, said: 'Hungary's government has moved to ban Kneecap from entering the country and performing at Sziget... citing anti-Semitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah as justification.'
The Government spokesman posted the official letters from immigration authorities banning the band for three years, claiming that their entry would 'seriously threaten national security'.
Hungary's government had earlier demanded festival organisers drop Kneecap from the line-up at the week-long event, which draws several hundred thousand music lovers to an island in the River Danube each year.
More than 150 artists and cultural figures, including Academy Award-winning director Laszlo Nemes Jeles, had signed a petition protesting against Kneecap's participation.
read more on kneecap
However Sziget organisers, who said they had not been notified of the government's decision, have resisted the calls to scrap Kneecap's planned performance on August 11.
Promoters said: 'Our festival remains true to what we have consistently achieved over the past 30 years: there is no place for hatred, incitement, prejudice, or any form of racism or anti-Semitism,' they said in a statement last week.
Kneecap have yet to respond to the ban but they previously denied supporting the Palestinian terror group.
In a statement, they said: 'Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always.
MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN
"It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation's history.'
Earlier this week UK police confirmed they had dropped a criminal investigation into the performance by the Belfast rap trio at the
Crowds gather as Kneecap play Glasgow gig after TRNSMT axe
Avon and Somerset Police said they would be taking '
The investigation had been announced in June after officers reviewed video footage and audio recordings from the sets of Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan at the Somerset festival.
'CELEBRATION OF LOVE'
In response the group, comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh, posted a screenshot to social media from an email that appeared to be from a senior investigating officer.
It said: 'Following a review of the evidence, I have determined there will be no further action.'
In the caption of their post, Kneecap said: 'One element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over. We played a historic set at Glastonbury.
"Whole area closed an hour before due to crowds. A celebration of love and solidarity. A sea of good people at the world's most famous festival.'
While another act, Bob Vylan, sparked outrage when he enticed the huge audience to chant 'death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]'.
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