Kneecap deny support for terrorism groups and apologises to families of murdered MPs

Extra.ie​

29-04-2025

Belfast Irish rap trio Kneecap have released a new statement after calls for the band to clarify their rumoured comments on the likes of Hamas, Hezbollah and UK politicians.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin even got involved by sharing the need for 'urgent clarity' surrounding clips from two of their gigs which are now being investigated by the UK's counter terrorism department.
The band has now released a new statement to address these claims, saying they 'unequivocally' do not support Hamas or Hezbollah, and 'condemn all attacks on civilians.' Mo Chara and Moglai Bap from Irish Hip Hop trio Kneecap perform onstage during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Pic: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
The statement on social media reads: 'They want you to believe words are more harmful than genocide. Establishment figures, desperate to silence us, have combed through hundreds of hours of footage and interviews, extracting a handful of words from months or years ago to manufacture moral hysteria.
'Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation's history.
'We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action. This distortion is not only absurd — it is a transparent effort to derail the real conversation. Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap from Kneecap performing at Coachella. Pic: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
'All two million Palestinian people in Gaza are currently being starved to death by Israel. At least 20,000 children in Gaza have been killed. The British government continues to supply arms to Israel, even after scores of NHS doctors warned Keir Starmer in August that children were being systematically executed with sniper shots to the head.
'Instead of defending innocent people or the principles of international law, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine. This is where real anger and outrage should be directed towards.
'To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt. Kneecap's message has always been — and remains — one of love, inclusion, and hope. View this post on Instagram
A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32)
'This is why our music resonates across generations, countries, classes and cultures and has brought hundreds of thousands of people to our gigs. No smear campaign will change that.
'Suddenly, days after calling out the US administration at Coachella to applause and solidarity, there is an avalanche of outrage and condemnation by the political classes of Britain.
'The real crimes are not in our performances; the real crimes are the silence and complicity of those in power. Shame on them.' Kneecap performing at Coachella. Pic:for Coachella
The statement comes after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for a member of the group to be prosecuted after a video emerged from a November 2023 gig, appearing to show him saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.'
The official spokesperson for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added that the Government leader believes the comments were 'completely unacceptable' and 'condemns them in the strongest possible terms'.
The inclusion of an apology to the Amess and Cox families comes after relations of the murdered politicians, Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, spoke out against the band and their supposed encouragement of violence against MPs. Mo Chara aka Naoise O Caireallain, Moglai Bap aka Liam Og O Hannaidh, Rich Peppiatt and DJ Provai of Kneecap at the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards Pic: Max Cisotti/Conservative MP Sir David was stabbed to death while meeting constituents in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in 2021, and his daughter Katie recently spoke to BBC's Good Morning Ulster about how 'dangerous' the band's words could be.
She explained: 'It is just beyond belief that human beings would speak like that in this day and age, and it is extremely dangerous,' adding that the band saying 'to kill anybody – what on Earth are they thinking', warning there are 'absolute nutters' who could try to act upon the comments allegedly made by Kneecap.
Meanwhile, Labour MP David Taylor has written to the organisers of the Glastonbury Festival, urging them to remove Kneecap from this year's line-up, with the band currently slated to appear on the West Holts stage on the Saturday of the festival. DJ Provaí from Kneecap performing at Coachella. Pic: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
In a letter addressed to founder Sir Michel Eavis and posted on X, the Hemel Hempstead MP said: 'By hosting such a group, Glastonbury Festival risks undermining its proud tradition of promoting peace, unity and social responsibility.
'It would be deeply troubling to see the festival provide a platform to individuals who advocate hatred and violence, especially at a time when politcal and social tensions are already high.
'[Removing Kneecap from the lineup] would send a clear message that Glastonbury stands firm against violence, terrorism and political extremism in all its forms.' Kneecap Pic: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu via Getty Images
The festival team nor Sir Michel Eavis have responded to the calls yet, but its not the only festival under fire for having the band on their lineup.
The Hurricane Festival in the north of Germany and its sister event, the Southside Festival in south of the country, have both cancelled planned appearances from Keecap this summer.
There have also been calls to have them axed from TRNSMT festival in Scotland, and for the USA to remove, or not issue, visas to the trio for their scheduled concerts this October.