Bob Vylan has responded after his controversial Glastonbury set, which featured anti-Israel chants, prompted backlash from the public, the Government, and police.
During their performance on the West Holts Stage, the London-based punk duo displayed messages reading: “Free Palestine. United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a ‘conflict’.”
They led the crowd in chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF,” with frontman Bobby Vylan concluding: “From the river to the sea Palestine must be, will be, free.”
The band also voiced support for Irish rap group Kneecap, who had faced controversy ahead of their appearance.
Following the performance, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were reviewing video footage to assess whether any criminal offences were committed
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Opening the set, Bobby Vylan said: “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.”
He added that the UK and US were “complicit in war crimes and genocide happening over there to the Palestinian people.”
In the hours following the backlash, Bobby Vylan responded on Instagram with a photo of himself eating pink vegan ice cream, captioned: “While Zionists are crying on socials, I’ve just had late-night (vegan) ice cream.”
Following the performance, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were reviewing video footage to assess whether any criminal offences were committed.
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In the hours following the backlash, Bobby Vylan responded on Instagram with a photo of himself eating pink vegan ice cream
“We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon. Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation,” the force said in a statement.
Police have also confirmed they are reviewing comments made during Kneecap’s performance as part of the same investigation.
The Government also issued a response, condemning the duo’s language.
A spokesman said: “We strongly condemn the threatening comments made by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury.
Bob Vylan and Kneecap's Glastonbury performances are being 'assessed' by police GETTY“The Culture Secretary has spoken to the BBC Director General to seek an urgent explanation about what due diligence it carried out ahead of the Bob Vylan performance, and welcomes the decision not to re-broadcast it on BBC iPlayer.”
The BBC, which streamed the set live, also addressed viewer complaints.
“Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan’s set were deeply offensive,” a spokesman said.
“During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language. We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.”
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