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Telegraph
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
The IDF is not just Israel's army: it is a symbol of Jewish self-defence
Anti-Zionists are the edgiest cowards around. Leftists revelled in Bob Vylan's Glastonbury hate rally as a dramatic shifting of the Overton Window in their favour. A throng of middle-class festival-goers led in a chant of 'death to the IDF' by a performer who demanded that Palestine is free 'from the river to the sea' and recalled working for 'f***ing Zionists' – all carried live on the BBC iPlayer, no less. But now Jews are fighting back. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has blasted 'toxic Jew-hatred' posing as 'edgy political commentary'. The Jewish Leadership Council declaimed an 'obscene display of extremist hatred'. The anti-Zionists, meanwhile, have argued that Vylan's chant was nothing more than criticism of Israel and its military operation in Gaza. In fact, they say, it is Vylan's detractors who are the real anti-Semites for conflating Israel with Jews. If the Palestinians must be patronised by grandstanding Westerners, they deserve better than these faint-hearted crybullies. Not that the feelings of the Chief Rabbi or communal organisations have any impact on anti-Zionists. Lived experience is sacrosanct for every minority apart from Jews. For a movement that appears to glory in violent rhetoric, when consequences rear their head they fold like a Hamas command centre paid a visit by the Israeli Air Force. They embrace nuance and complexity and all those other traits of the snivelling liberals they scorn. Their anti-Zionism retreats from banner slogans to multi-page footnotes. Yes, they cavil, the IDF is a conscript army made up almost exclusively of Jews, but that doesn't mean calling for its 'death' is a call for death to Jews. (Disparate impact is another doctrine of the Left that applies to every minority except the Jews.) Why do they cry ' death to the IDF'? The Israeli army is civilian led. Why not death to the Israeli prime minister, or the defence minister, or the security cabinet? It is not just a matter of what rhymes. The IDF is not just Israel's army; it is the symbol and the substance of Jewish self-defence and Jewish sovereignty. Without the IDF, there would be no Israel, and this is exactly what they want. Across 2,000 years of exile from their homeland, Jews were reviled, calumnied, excluded, expelled, pogrommed, and exterminated. As the Passover Haggadah observes: 'Not only one has risen up against us to destroy us, but in every generation they rise up to destroy us.' The restoration of Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel was about ensuring that future generations had a means of defending themselves. More would come to destroy them, but this time they'd be prepared. Strong Jews, sovereign Jews, Jews you can't push around. For two millennia, these were concepts not merely revolutionary but fantastical. But now they are lived out every day in Israel. Political anti-Zionism is a project to separate the Jewish people from the theory and practice of Jewish self-determination. The Israeli army is all that stands between 'death to the IDF' and 'death to the Jews'.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Bob Vylan claim they are being ‘targeted for speaking up'
Bob Vylan have claimed they are being 'targeted for speaking up' after their 'death, death to the IDF' chant was branded anti-Semitic and prompted a police probe. Rapper Pascal Robinson-Foster repeated the phrase during a Glastonbury performance over the weekend that was broadcast live by the BBC. Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, said the issue should have been foreseeable and constituted 'a problem of leadership' for the BBC, while Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the incident as a 'time of national shame'. Speaking for the first time since the incident, the punk group said: 'Today, a good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace. Last week it was a Palestine pressure group, the week before that it was another band. 'We are not for the death of jews, arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine whose own soldiers were told to use 'unnecessary lethal force' against innocent civilians waiting for aid. 'A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza. 'We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story. And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.' In a statement published on Instagram, the group added: 'The government doesn't want us to ask why they remain silent in the face of this atrocity? To ask why they aren't doing more to stop the killing? To feed the starving? 'The more time they talk about Bob Vylan, the less time they spend answering for their criminal inaction. 'We are being targeted for speaking up. We are not the first. We will not be the last. And if you care for the sanctity of human life and freedom of speech, we urge you to speak up too. Free Palestine.' Tim Davie, who was visiting staff at the festival on Saturday afternoon, was informed of the chant shortly after it had been made and ruled that the rap duo's set should not be made available to watch on demand. However, the chant remained on iPlayer for another five hours. Sources stressed that pulling the livestream was not discussed, but a spokesman said that, in hindsight, the BBC regretted that this decision was not taken. A BBC source said: 'Tim was there for a few hours to see the team. He was made aware during the time he was there of what had been said on stage. He intervened to make sure the performance was not made available on demand and he was very clear about that. 'Pulling the livestream brings certain technological challenges. With hindsight, we would have taken it down. He would have asked what the options were, but it isn't as straightforward as hitting a button and taking it down.' 'A problem of leadership' Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, suggested that the incident called Mr Davie's position into question. Speaking in the Commons, she said: 'When you have one editorial failure, it's something that must be gripped. When you have several, it becomes a problem of leadership.' During their appearance at Glastonbury, Bob Vylan chanted 'Free! Free!' and the crowd responded 'Palestine!', before they led fans in the chant of 'death, death to the IDF'. Robinson-Foster, the group's frontman, who performs as Bobby Vylan, also ranted about a Jewish record company boss for whom he had worked. The set was not made available on demand, where programmes can be accessed and watched on iPlayer after their live broadcast has finished. However, it was possible to rewind and watch it back before the live broadcast from the stage where Bob Vylan were performing had finished. The corporation said it regretted broadcasting the 'unacceptable' words, adding: '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.'
Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Chief Rabbi: BBC airing of vile Jew-hatred is national shame
The Chief Rabbi has criticised the BBC over its response to a rapper who chanted 'death, death to the IDF' at Glastonbury. Bob Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, repeated the phrase in a performance that was broadcast live by the BBC. The corporation has expressed regret at not pulling the livestream, with the Culture Secretary claiming the issue should have been foreseeable and constituted 'a problem of leadership' for the broadcaster. But in a post on X, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the incident as a 'time of national shame'. He said: 'This is a time of national shame. The airing of vile Jew-hatred at Glastonbury and the BBC's belated and mishandled response brings confidence in our national broadcaster's ability to treat anti-Semitism seriously to a new low. 'It should trouble all decent people that now, one need only couch their outright incitement to violence and hatred as edgy political commentary, for ordinary people to not only fail to see it for what it is, but also to cheer it, chant it and celebrate it. 'Toxic Jew-hatred is a threat to our entire society.' The Chief Rabbi's comments came as the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAAS) issued calls for Tim Davie, the BBC's director general, to be sacked following Bob Vylan's set. The campaign group said that if the event was 'not met with the firmest condemnation and recourse, then it is the surest sign yet that Britain is becoming a haven for hatred and unsafe for Jews'. Mr Davie, who was visiting staff at the festival on Saturday afternoon, was informed of the chant shortly after it had been made and ruled that the rap duo's set should not be made available to watch on demand. However, the chant remained on iPlayer for another five hours. Sources stressed that pulling the livestream was not discussed, but a spokesman said that, in hindsight, the BBC regretted that this decision was not taken. A BBC source said: 'Tim was there for a few hours to see the team. He was made aware during the time he was there of what had been said on stage. He intervened to make sure the performance was not made available on demand and he was very clear about that. 'Pulling the livestream brings certain technological challenges. With hindsight, we would have taken it down. He would have asked what the options were, but it isn't as straightforward as hitting a button and taking it down.' Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, suggested that the incident called Mr Davie's position into question. Speaking in the Commons, she said: 'When you have one editorial failure, it's something that must be gripped. When you have several, it becomes a problem of leadership.' Ms Nandy was responding to a question from Peter Prinsley, the MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, who said: 'The murder of hundreds of Jews at the Nova music festival in October 2023 sparked this war. The irony of broadcast anti-Semitism at Glastonbury here in the UK is not lost on any of us. 'So how are Jews, such as myself, in this country to be reassured about the editorial processes of the BBC? And who on Earth will be held accountable for this error?' Ms Nandy said accountability was 'an extremely important point' and 'something that I've impressed upon the BBC leadership'. It is the latest anti-Semitism controversy to engulf the BBC. Earlier this year, the corporation was forced to apologise for 'serious flaws' in a documentary about Gaza, which failed to disclose that the narrator was the son of a Hamas official. Its news reporting on Israel-Gaza has also been criticised. Earlier on Monday, Israel's deputy foreign minister called on Mr Davey to step down if no one was fired over the broadcasting of the chant. Sharren Haskel told The Telegraph's Daily T podcast there should be an investigation into why it took the broadcaster so long to remove the hate speech from the BBC iPlayer on Saturday. During their appearance at Glastonbury, Bob Vylan chanted 'Free! Free!' and the crowd responded 'Palestine!', before they led fans in the chant of 'death, death to the IDF'. Pascal Robinson-Foster, the group's frontman, who performs as Bobby Vylan, also ranted about a Jewish record company boss for whom he had worked. The set was not made available on demand, where programmes can be accessed and watched on iPlayer after their live broadcast has finished. However, it was possible to rewind and watch it back before the live broadcast from the stage where Bob Vylan were performing had finished. The corporation said it regretted broadcasting the 'unacceptable' words, adding: '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.' Ms Haskel told the Daily T: 'Who's responsible for that? This is literally someone calling for violence, for ethnic cleansing, for the destruction and the annihilation of the only Jewish state in the world. 'So if there's no one that will take responsibility, if no one will be fired over such an outrageous thing, then I think that Tim Davie should take responsibility because there has to be accountability for that.' Asked to clarify whether she was calling for the resignation of the director general, who has been in the post since 2020, she said: 'If there's no one responsible for that, and if no one's going to be fired over such an outrageous thing, Tim Davie should take responsibility and resign.' Ms Haskel also called for an investigation into the BBC's coverage of the Middle East, adding: 'There should be an inquiry regarding the BBC coverage. 'It was fully biased. Many mistakes were made. not just in the coverage since Oct 7, but their coverage in the Middle East in general and also about how they address anti-Semitism in the UK. How is it possible that something like that has been normalised in the UK? I just don't get it.' In a statement, the BBC said: 'Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC's output, but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive. 'The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. 'The performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. The judgment 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.' Ofcom said it would examine the BBC's decision to air the performance. The watchdog said the BBC 'clearly has questions to answer' over how the set was shown live. An Ofcom spokesman said: 'We are very concerned about the livestream of this performance, and the BBC clearly has questions to answer. 'We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines.' A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police added: 'Video footage and audio from Bob Vylan and Kneecap's performances at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday has been reviewed. Following the completion of that assessment process we have decided further enquiries are required and a criminal investigation is now being undertaken. A senior detective has been appointed to lead this investigation. This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage. The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.' Avon and Somerset Police also began a review of footage of the set to determine whether any criminal offences were committed. Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the incident as 'appalling hate speech', while the organisers of Glastonbury issued a statement in which they said it had 'crossed a line'. On Monday, Bob Vylan were banned The BBC had previously decided it would not allow a performance by Kneecap to be broadcast as part of the livestream after the pro-Palestinian Northern Irish rappers became embroiled in a separate controversy. Liam O'Hanna, a member of the group, has been charged with a terror offence after a flag showing support for Hezbollah was allegedly displayed at one of the band's gigs in London. He denies wrongdoing. An edited version of Kneecap's performance was subsequently made available by the BBC on its iPlayer platform.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC boss Tim Davie was at Glastonbury during Bob Vylan set
The BBC's director-general was at Glastonbury Festival when Bob Vylan led chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' that were broadcast live. It is understood Tim Davie was on a visit to meet staff at the Somerset music event on Saturday afternoon when the set was taking place. He was informed after Bobby Vylan, one half of the British rap punk duo, led his audience in chants that also included 'Free, free Palestine'. The performance, which took place at the West Holts Stage, was livestreamed by the BBC but the organisation later expressed regret for not stopping its broadcast of the 'unacceptable' set. A BBC spokesperson said: 'The director-general was informed of the incident after the performance and at that point he was clear it should not feature in any other Glastonbury coverage.' The news of Mr Davie's presence at the festival comes as the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis berated the BBC for what he called 'the airing of vile Jew-hatred' and the broadcaster's 'belated and mishandled response'. The corporation has faced strong criticism for continuing to livestream the performance on iPlayer with on-screen warnings about discriminatory language. Broadcasting regulator Ofcom saying it was 'very concerned' by the decision and the Culture Secretary claimed the issue should have been foreseeable and constituted 'a problem of leadership' for the BBC. In a post on X, Sir Ephraim wrote: 'This is a time of national shame. 'The airing of vile Jew-hatred at Glastonbury and the BBC's belated and mishandled response, brings confidence in our national broadcaster's ability to treat antisemitism seriously to a new low. 'It should trouble all decent people that now, one need only couch their outright incitement to violence and hatred as edgy political commentary, for ordinary people to not only fail to see it for what it is, but also to cheer it, chant it and celebrate it. 'Toxic Jew-hatred is a threat to our entire society.' Irish rap trio Kneecap, including member Liam Og O hAnnaidh who appeared in court earlier this month charged with a terror offence, took to the stage directly after Bob Vylan and led chants of 'Free Palestine'. On Monday, Avon and Somerset Police said it had launched a probe into both performances after reviewing video footage and audio recordings, with a senior detective appointed to lead the investigation. A police spokesman said: 'This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage. 'The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.' In a statement on Monday, the BBC said: 'Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC's output but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive. 'The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. 'The antisemitic 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 livestream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. 'The judgment 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.' US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau announced that Bob Vylan's US visas had been revoked due to 'their hateful tirade at Glastonbury', with the duo scheduled to tour in Chicago, Brooklyn and Philadelphia in October. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons on Monday the Government was 'exasperated' with the 'lack of account from the leadership' at the BBC. Ms Nandy said the incident at Worthy Farm had raised 'very, very serious questions at the highest levels of the BBC about the operational oversight and the way in which editorial standards are understood', adding that she wanted to see 'rapid action' from the broadcaster. Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds said the scenes at Glastonbury raised wider concerns about society. He told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'There are some lessons, I think, for broadcasters from this, but let's also not shy away from the issue, which is people in a crowd glorifying violence. 'I don't think it's something we'd associate with any music festival, but it's a wider societal problem.' He added:'It's possible, I think, to be completely concerned by the scenes in Gaza and not stray into the kind of behaviour and endorsement that we saw with that performance. 'And I'm deeply shocked to be honest, that people would even not realise what I think they're participating in when they do that.' Glastonbury Festival organisers also condemned Bob Vylan's chants, saying it was 'appalled' by what was said on stage, adding 'there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence'. Bob Vylan formed in Ipswich in 2017 and have released four albums addressing issues such as racism, masculinity and class. Bobby Vylan is the stage name of Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports. His bandmate drummer uses the alias Bobbie Vylan. In a statement posted to Instagram, he said: 'Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place. 'As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.'
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
BBC director-general was at Glastonbury during Bob Vylan performance
The BBC's director-general was at Glastonbury Festival when Bob Vylan led chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' that were broadcast live. It is understood Tim Davie was on a visit to meet staff at the Somerset music event on Saturday afternoon and was informed after Bobby Vylan, one half of the British rap punk duo, led his audience in chants that also included 'Free, free Palestine'. Advertisement The performance at the West Holts Stage was livestreamed by the BBC but the organisation later expressed regret for not stopping its broadcast of the 'unacceptable' set. Tim Davie was at the Somerset music event on Saturday afternoon. Photo: PA. A BBC spokesperson said: 'The director-general was informed of the incident after the performance and at that point he was clear it should not feature in any other Glastonbury coverage.' The news of Mr Davie's presence at the festival comes as the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis berated the BBC for what he called 'the airing of vile Jew-hatred' and the broadcaster's 'belated and mishandled response'. The corporation has faced strong criticism for continuing to livestream the performance on iPlayer with on-screen warnings about discriminatory language. Advertisement Broadcasting regulator Ofcom saying it was 'very concerned' by the decision and the Culture Secretary claimed the issue should have been foreseeable and constituted 'a problem of leadership' for the BBC. In a post on X, Sir Ephraim wrote: 'This is a time of national shame. 'The airing of vile Jew-hatred at Glastonbury and the BBC's belated and mishandled response, brings confidence in our national broadcaster's ability to treat antisemitism seriously to a new low. 'It should trouble all decent people that now, one need only couch their outright incitement to violence and hatred as edgy political commentary, for ordinary people to not only fail to see it for what it is, but also to cheer it, chant it and celebrate it. Advertisement 'Toxic Jew-hatred is a threat to our entire society.' Kneecap performed at Glastonbury straight after Bob Vylan on Saturday. Photo: Yui Mok/PA. Irish rap trio Kneecap, including member Liam Og O hAnnaidh who appeared in court earlier this month charged with a terror offence, took to the stage directly after Bob Vylan and led chants of 'Free Palestine'. On Monday, Avon and Somerset Police said it had launched a probe into both performances after reviewing video footage and audio recordings, with a senior detective appointed to lead the investigation. A police spokesman said: 'This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage. Advertisement 'The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.' In a statement on Monday, the BBC said: 'Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC's output but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive. 'The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. 'The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. Advertisement 'We welcome Glastonbury's condemnation of the performance. 'The performance was part of a livestream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. 'The judgment 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.' Rap duo Bob Vylan were due to tour the US later this year. Photo: Yui Mok/PA. US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau announced that Bob Vylan's US visas had been revoked due to 'their hateful tirade at Glastonbury', with the duo scheduled to tour in Chicago, Brooklyn and Philadelphia in October. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons on Monday the Government was 'exasperated' with the 'lack of account from the leadership' at the BBC. Ms Nandy said the incident at Worthy Farm had raised 'very, very serious questions at the highest levels of the BBC about the operational oversight and the way in which editorial standards are understood', adding that she wanted to see 'rapid action' from the broadcaster. Glastonbury Festival organisers also condemned Bob Vylan's chants, saying it was 'appalled' by what was said on stage, adding 'there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence'. Bobbie and Bobby Vylan at the 2022 Mobo Awards (PA) Bob Vylan formed in Ipswich in 2017 and have released four albums addressing issues such as racism, masculinity and class. World Bob Vylan and Kneecap face criminal probe as BBC G... Read More Bobby Vylan is the stage name of Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports. His bandmate drummer uses the alias Bobbie Vylan. In a statement posted to Instagram, he said: 'Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place. 'As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.'
