[News] US Revokes Visas of Bob Vylan over ‘Free Palestine’ Chants at Glastonbury

[Anti-Imperialist News]

palestinechronicle.com
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/us-revokes-visas-of-bob-vylan-over-free-palestine-chants-at-glastonbury/>
US Revokes Visas of Bob Vylan over ‘Free Palestine’ Chants at GlastonburyJune
30, 2025
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The British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan have been denied entry to the US for
their pro-Palestine statements. (Photo: video grab)

*By Palestine Chronicle Staff
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/writers/palestine-chronicle-staff>*

Vocalist Bobby Vylan chanted “Free, free Palestine,” “Death, death to the
IDF” and said “Hell yeah, from the river to the sea, Palestine must be,
will be, inshallah, it will be free” while on stage at the Glastonbury
Music Festival.

The British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, who led the crowd in chants of “Free,
free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF (Israeli army – PC)” during
their Glastonbury Music Festival performance on Saturday, has been denied
entry to the US for their statements.

“The State Department has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob
Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including
leading the crowd in death chants. Foreigners who glorify violence and
hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” Deputy Secretary of State
Christopher Landau said
<https://x.com/DeputySecState/status/1939697586920997374> in a post on X on
Monday.

This reportedly comes ahead of a roughly 20-city tour by the duo scheduled
through the United States, with performances planned in several major
cities, including Washington, DC.

The BBC, which broadcast the festival live, aired the duo’s performance
without censorship but did not broadcast the performance of Irish hip hop
group Kneecap, who also expressed pro-Palestinian messages live, citing
editorial guidelines.
‘Death, Death to the IDF’

Formed in 2017, the duo performs under the stage names of Bobby Vylan,
whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, as vocalist, with Bobbie Vylan,
as the drummer.

While performing at the Glastonbury Music Festival, vocalist Bobby Vylan
chanted “Free, free Palestine,” “Death, death to the IDF” and said “Hell
yeah, from the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it
will be free” while on stage.

The BBC issued a statement on Monday, saying “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.”

The statement follows concerns raised by the broadcast regulator Ofcom that
the BBC “clearly has questions to answer” over its coverage, while the
government questioned why the comments were aired live, the BBC reported.
‘Antisemitism’ Claims

A BBC spokesperson described the comments made during Vylan’s performance
as “antisemitic sentiments” and “utterly unacceptable.”

The broadcaster reportedly said the performance would not be made available
on its iPlayer streaming platform.

The organisers of the Glastonbury Festival have reportedly said they were
“appalled” by the comments, which “crossed a line”.

Following the performance, StopAntisemitism, a privately funded American
advocacy group, called for Bob Vylan to have their visas revoked ahead of
their concerts in the United States for their Inertia Tour, Anadolu
reported.

“This antisemite must have his visa denied/rescinded – his hate is not
welcome here,” StopAntisemitism wrote on X, referring to Bobby.
‘I Said What I Said’

In an Instagram post on Sunday, Bobby Vylan said he had been “inundated
with messages of both support and hatred,” and went on to stress the
importance of speaking up on matters of importance, citing his daughter’s
expression on her view on healthier meals at schools.

“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,” Vylan stated.

“It is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future
generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us,” he continued.

Vylan added, “Let us display to them loudly and visibly the right thing to
do when we want and need change. Let them see us marching in the streets,
campaigning on ground level, organising online and shouting about it on any
and every stage that we are offered.

“Today is a change in school dinners, tomorrow it is a change in foreign
policy.”

He emphasized, “I said what I said.”
Kneecap’s Performance

Irish band Kneecap, during their performance, were met with several
Palestinian flags being waved in the crowd.

The group’s Liam O’Hanna, also sent a shout-out to Palestine Action, a
pro-Palestine activist group facing a ban by the UK government.

O’Hanna recalled UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statement that Kneecap
performing at the festival “was not appropriate” and criticized Starmer,
according to the Anadolu news agency.

“The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to
play, so f**k Keir Starmer,” O’Hanna, wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh, told
the crowd.

 O’Hanna has been charged under the British Terrorism Act for holding a
Hezbollah flag at a London concert last year. He is scheduled to appear in
court again in August.
Social Activism

Local police have reportedly said they “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 police added.

One of the biggest musical events in the world, the Glastonbury Festival
has been held since the early 1970s and is attended by more than 200,000
attendees.

The festival is described as having been inspired by “the ethos of the
hippie” of the 1960s, and has since offered a platform
<https://glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/diversity-statement/> for debate and
discussion on contemporary issues.

The “Left Field Tent” at this year’s festival hosted discussions
<https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/left-field/> such as
“Confronting the Rise of the Far Right” and “Saving the Planet but Not
Leaving Workers Behind.”

*(PC, Anadolu)*
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