Rap duo's anti-Israel chants prompt UK police to review Glastonbury acts
Irish-language rap group Kneecap also performed Saturday despite a terror charge for one of its members over allegedly supporting Hezbollah, leading a huge crowd in chants of 'Free Palestine.'
The Israeli Embassy to the UK said on social media that it was 'deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival.'
Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned Bob Vylan's actions as 'appalling.' He told Sky News that the BBC and festival organizers had to answer questions about how the comments were broadcast live to millions.
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However, he also urged Israel to 'take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously' when asked about the Israeli embassy's condemnation of the band's actions.
The minister referred to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and 'the fact that Israeli settler terrorists attacked a Christian village this week, setting it on fire,' and urged Israel to 'get your own house in order.'
The government said its culture secretary has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's performance.
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The BBC said it issued a warning on screen about 'very strong and discriminatory language' during the livestream.
Glastonbury is Britain's biggest summer music festival and draws some 200,000 music fans each year to Worthy Farm in southwest England. Almost 4,000 acts perform on 120 stages.
Festival organizers said on Instagram that Vylan's chants 'very much crossed a line.'
'We are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.'
'With almost 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer's presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs,' it said.
Bob Vylan's two members both keep their real names secret for privacy reasons. Founded in 2017, the band has released four albums.
Kneecap, which has drawn criticism over its comments on Middle East politics, also gave an impassioned performance for tens of thousands of fans.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organization for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November.
The rapper, who was charged under the anglicized version of his name, Liam O'Hanna, is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August.
The group has been under scrutiny since videos emerged allegedly showing the band shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' and calling on people to kill lawmakers.
On Saturday band members led the audience in chants of 'Free Palestine' and 'Free Mo Chara.' They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was 'appropriate' for Kneecap to play Glastonbury.
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Rod Stewart, Olivia Rodrigo, and the Prodigy were among acts playing Sunday for Glastonbury's final day.
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"I have known @ZohranKMamdani since we worked together to provide debt relief for thousands of beleaguered taxi drivers & fought to stop a fracked gas plant in Astoria. He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity," Schumer said. He added that he spoke with Mamdani and was "looking forward to getting together soon." Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Gillibrand has also declined to endorse Mamdani and said some constituents are "alarmed" about some of his statements during an interview with Brian Lehrer's show on WNYC last week. She said constituents are "alarmed by past positions, particularly references to global jihad." Gillibrand's office has said she misspoke. "This is a very serious issue because people that glorify the slaughter of Jews create fear in our communities," she said. "The global intifada is a statement that means destroy Israel and kill all the Jews. 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"With respect to the Jewish communities that I represent, I think our nominee is going to have to convince folks that he is prepared to aggressively address the rise in antisemitism in the city of New York, which has been an unacceptable development." Representative Laura Gillen Gillen represents a competitive Long Island district in the House and has been among the more critical Democratic voices on Mamdani. In a statement, she described him as the "absolute wrong choice for New York." "Socialist Zohran Mamdani is too extreme to lead New York City. His entire campaign has been built on unachievable promises and higher taxes, which is the last thing New York needs," she wrote. "Beyond that, Mr. Mamdani has called to defund the police and has demonstrated a deeply disturbing pattern of unacceptable antisemitic comments which stoke hate at a time when antisemitism is skyrocketing." Representative Tom Suozzi In a post to X, Suozzi, whose district includes parts of Queens and Long Island wrote, "I had serious concerns about Assemblyman Mamdani before yesterday, and that is one of the reasons I endorsed his opponent. Those concerns remain." Representative Dan Goldman Representative Dan Goldman, who represents Brooklyn and Manhattan in Congress, praised Mamdani's "energized campaign" and wrote that he met with Mamdani to discuss key issues. "Zohran and I share a desire to lift up vulnerable New Yorkers and make the city more affordable and safe," Goldman wrote. "To that end, I explained why Jewish New Yorkers feel unsafe in the City and that, as he continues this campaign, he must not only condemn anti-Jewish hate and calls for violence, but make clear that as Mayor he would take proactive steps to protect all New Yorkers and make us secure." He added that he looks forward to "continue the dialogue about our mutual desire to move this City in positive direction." Representative George Latimer Latimer, whose district includes parts of the Bronx, told CNN he is concerned about how this will affect Democrats in battlegrounds. "It's going to be tough for front-liners because they're in districts that have a lot of Republicans in it that would look at a Democrat and want to hear the narrative, 'Oh, this guy's radical,'" he said. What People Are Saying Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive Vermont independent wrote on X: "Democratic Party Leaders: You have talked for six months about the need to create political excitement to get working class and young people involved in the political process. That's exactly what Zohran did. Get behind him." Representative Jerry Nadler, a New York Democrat who backed Mamdani, wrote in a statement: "New Yorkers want Democrats who will fight for a more affordable New York by bringing costs down and taking on big corporations. And they wanted elected leaders they can trust and believe in, which is why I'm proud to support Zohran Mamdani in the general election." Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a post on X: "Congratulations,@ZohranKMamdani! Your dedication to an affordable, welcoming, and safe New York City where working families can have a shot has inspired people across the city. Billionaires and lobbyists poured millions against you and our public finance system. And you won." What Happens Next Mamdani will face off against Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Eric Adams in November. Cuomo has not confirmed whether he will be actively campaigning for mayor, but he could still appear on the ballot.
