Punk band Bob Vylan have released a statement claiming they are being "targeted" for speaking up amid backlash for their performance at Glastonbury.
The rap duo sparked outrage by chanting “death to the IDF” during their Saturday set.
The performance also featured the controversial chant “from the river to the sea”, a phrase some interpret as a call for the destruction of the Jewish state.
During the same set, frontman Pascal Robinson-Foster - also known as Bobby Vylan - told the crowd: “We are not pacifist punks here over at Bob Vylan Enterprises. We are the violent punks, because sometimes, you have to get your message across with violence because that is the only language some people speak.”
In a statement posted through a photo on Instagram on Tuesday, the duo wrote: "NOT THE FIRST. NOT THE LAST.
"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.
"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."
The caption of the post read: "Silence is not an option."
Bobby Vylan led chants of "Death to the IDF" at GlastonburyGETTYIn the wake of the backlash, United Talent Agency dropped Bob Vylan following emergency discussions among senior executives, according to industry sources.
The pair have also had their US visas revoked as they were scheduled for an America tour later this year.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed the visa cancellations on Monday, saying: “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”
Meanwhile, The BBC has announced a review of their guidance around live events after facing scrutiny for streaming Bob Vylan’s set live.
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The BBC has faced considerable criticism for broadcasting Bob Vylan's full Glastonbury set, which included the controversial anti-Israel chantsGettyThey released a statement on Monday, following mounting criticism and a demand for answers from Ofcom, saying the broadcaster “respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence”.
They expressed regret the live stream wasn’t pulled, adding: "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."
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy weighed in on the BBC’s handling of the broadcast during a Commons session, suggesting the incident reflected a deeper issue of leadership.
“When you have one editorial failure, it’s something that must be gripped. When you have several, it becomes a problem of leadership,” she said.
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