Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury Chant Sparks Police Review Amid Accusations of Hate Speech
Controversial Performance at Glastonbury 2025
British rap-punk duo Bob Vylan are at the centre of a storm after a controversial performance at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. During their Saturday set on the West Holts Stage, rapper Bobby Vylan led chants criticising the Israeli military – including one that drew widespread backlash for being labelled hate speech.
What Happened on Stage?
Bobby Vylan began his set with chants of “Free, free Palestine”, a common rallying cry among pro-Palestinian supporters.
He then shouted: “Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)”, referring to Israel’s military.
Behind him, a screen displayed: “United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a ‘conflict’.” This was seen as a direct criticism of the BBC’s coverage of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Political and Public Response
The reaction to the performance has been swift and strong:
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Described the chant as “appalling hate speech”.
Said there is no excuse for such language.
Israeli Embassy in the UK
Expressed being “deeply disturbed”.
Warned about the normalisation of extremist language.
Called on Glastonbury organisers, artists, and public figures to condemn the rhetoric.
Glastonbury Organisers
Issued a statement saying they were “appalled”.
Said the chants “crossed a line”.
Reiterated that antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence have no place at the festival.
BBC’s Reaction
The BBC had broadcast Bob Vylan’s set live.
A spokesperson told CNN that some comments were “deeply offensive”.
The broadcaster later admitted that, in hindsight, the performance should have been cut from the live feed.
Said it supports freedom of expression, but stands firmly against incitement to violence.
Confirmed the set won’t be available on iPlayer.
Police Now Investigating
Avon and Somerset Police, responsible for the Glastonbury area, confirmed they are reviewing video evidence of the performance.
Officers are now assessing whether any criminal offences were committed.
Kneecap Also Under Review
Another act under scrutiny is the Irish-language hip-hop group Kneecap, who performed on the same stage earlier on Saturday.
Background on Kneecap
Member Liam O’Hanna (Mo Chara) is currently facing a terrorism charge.
He is accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London gig in November 2024 – Hezbollah is banned as a terrorist group under UK law.
Before the festival, Keir Starmer said it was “not appropriate” for the group to perform.
What Happened During Their Set?
Mo Chara acknowledged the pressure around the case but said it was “nothing compared to what Palestinians are going through.”
Fellow rapper Móglaí Bap made a strong political statement:
Told the crowd: “The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer.”
Later added: “We’ll start a riot outside the courts – no riots, just love and support. And more importantly, support for Palestine.”
Police Response
Somerset Police confirmed they are also reviewing Kneecap’s set.
Officers are examining whether their performance broke any laws or incited violence.
Health Secretary Weighs In
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting also condemned Bob Vylan’s comments:
Called the performance “appalling” in an interview with Sky News.
Said both the BBC and Glastonbury organisers have questions to answer.
However, he also called out the Israeli Embassy, saying:
“Get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank.”
The Bigger Picture: Free Speech vs Hate Speech
This controversy reignites the ongoing debate in the UK over the balance between freedom of expression, political protest, and hate speech. While some support artists using their platforms to speak out on issues like Gaza and Palestine, others warn that violent or inflammatory language can promote division and hatred.
Sources:
[BBC News Statement]
[Glastonbury Festival Official Statement]
[Sky News Interview with Wes Streeting]
[Statement from Israeli Embassy in the UK]