PUNK band Bob Vylan claim they are being “targeted for speaking up” after their comments during a Glastonbury show were branded anti-Semitic.
During the gig, the singer from the pro-Palestine punk act – who keeps his identity secret – shouted “from the river to the sea Palestine… will be free” – regarded by Jews as a call for Israel‘s elimination.
Bob Vylan led crowds in a chant shouting: “Death, death to the IDF”[/caption]
IDF stands for Israel Defence Forces, the national military of the State of Israel, which is currently involved with the war in Gaza – one of two remaining Palestinian territories.
The frontman also led crowds in a chant shouting: “Death, death to the IDF” during their set on Saturday – where they appeared just before controversial trio Kneecap.
The BBC refused to live stream Kneecap’s performance after a string of incidents.
Bob Vylan – which consists of singer Bobby Vylan and guitarist Bobbie Vylan – then shared a post on X of the former eating an ice-cream with the caption: “While Zionists are crying on socials, I’ve just had a late night (vegan) ice cream.”
The BBC later took down the broadcast on the iPlayer but has been criticised for not cutting it off immediately after the anti-Semitic chanting, with the live feed continuing for another 40 minutes.
Today, Bob Vylan broke their silence and posted on social media: “Not the first, not the last.”
The post said: “A good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace.”
Chris Philp has called for the singer to 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.
Broadcast regulator Ofcom, which is conducting its own probe, says it was “very concerned” by the performance, adding: “The BBC clearly has questions to answer.”
The band has subsequently been dropped by reps United Talent Agency after a flurry of talks between bosses.
They also had their visas revoked by the US.
It comes after PM Keir Starmer 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.”
He was joined by a raft of MPs and Jewish groups condemning the failure to pull the gig from the air, with Lord Astin calling it a “very dark day” for the corporation.
Glastonbury Festival organisers said they were “appalled” and said it “crossed the line”.
Avon and Somerset Police said it was investigating.
The performance is now subject to a criminal investigation and has been recorded as a public order incident.
Controversial Irish rock group Kneecap are also subject to the probe after the group took to the stage and led a “free Palestine” chant before leading five chants against the Prime Minister.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that cops were investigating the two groups after video and audio footage had been examined.
Posting on X, the force said: “Video footage and audio from Bob Vylan and Kneecap’s performances at Glastonbury Festival 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.”
It confirmed that it had received a “large amount” of contact from across the world about the disturbing performances.
Today, it emerged that BBC boss Tim Davie was at Glastonbury when Bob Vylan launched into his anti-Israel chant.
The director general was made aware and consulted after the frontman of the band chanted “death to the IDF” and other alleged anti-Semitic slurs on the West Holts stage on Saturday.
Critics have demanded BBC chiefs be sacked for broadcasting the jibes, which are now subject to a criminal investigation.
As reported by the Telegraph, Mr Davie was at the festival to see staff when the shocking performance unfolded.
He was made away and decided it should not be available on BBC iPlayer, but it remained accessible for another five hours.
