Punk band Bob Vylan has US visas REVOKED after ‘death to IDF' chant at Glasto throwing tour into chaos
CONTROVERSIAL band Bob Vylan have been stripped of their US visas ahead of a tour later this year.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed today that visas belonging to the controversial punk duo had been revoked because of 'their hateful tirade at Glastonbury'.
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Bob Vylan during the controversial set on Saturday
Credit: PA
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Bob Vylan performing on the West Holts Stage during the Glastonbury Festival
Credit: PA
Bobby Vylan, the frontman of the band, chanted "death to the IDF" and other alleged anti-Semitic slurs during their appearance on the West Holts stage on Saturday.
It comes after PM Keir Starmer last night blasted the BBC for allowing the hate-filled rant to be broadcast on live TV.
Demanding an explanation from director-general Tim Davie, the Prime Minister said: 'There is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech.'
The band has subsequently been dropped by reps United Talent Agency after a flurry of talks between bosses.
Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary, posted on X: "The Department of State has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants.
"Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country."
Glastonbury Festival organisers said they were 'appalled' and said it 'crossed the line'.
Avon and Somerset Police said yesterday it was investigating.
In response, the BBC has put out a grovelling statement saying it "should have pulled" the stream of Bob Vylan's controversial performance.
The broadcaster said the set contained 'utterly unacceptable' and 'anti-Semitic sentiments' - but still failed to apologise for choosing not to cut the feed.
The Beeb's statement said: "Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC's output but one performance within our live streams included comments that were deeply offensive.
"The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence.
"The anti-Semitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.
"We welcome Glastonbury's condemnation of the performance.
"The performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer.
"The judgement on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines.
"In addition, we took the decision not to make the performance available on demand.
"The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.
"In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air."
The live stream of the punk rap act's set ran for another 40 minutes despite the offensive slurs against Israel during the incident on Saturday afternoon.
The pro-Palestine duo Bob Vylan also declared 'from the river to the sea Palestine…will be free' - a slogan seen by many in the Jewish community as calling for Israel's elimination.
BBC bosses had already said that Kneecap's performance wouldn't be shown live on Saturday afternoon but act Bob Vylan – on stage before them - caught them unawares.
However, a warning was displayed on screen and the footage was later removed from the iPlayer.
Prior to the BBC's statement, broadcast regulator Ofcom, which is conducting its own probe, said it was "very concerned" by the performance, adding: "The BBC clearly has questions to answer."
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp called for the rapper to be "arrested and prosecuted immediately".
He labelled it an example of a two-tier justice system.
Mr Philp demanded the rapper be treated in a similar fashion to Lucy Connolly, the Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for tweets in the aftermath of the Southport murders last summer - and still remains behind bars.
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