British police are investigating Glastonbury Festival footage showing punk-rap duo Bob Vylan leading a crowd chant of “Death, death to the IDF” — the Israeli Defense Forces — this past weekend. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed officers will review the video to determine if criminal charges are warranted.
Festival organizers expressed that the chant “very much crossed a line,” reaffirming zero tolerance for anti-Semitism, hate speech, and incitement to violence. The BBC displayed an on-screen warning about “strong and discriminatory language” and later removed the performance from its on-demand service.
High-level UK officials condemned the moment. Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the chant “appalling hate speech,” holding both the BBC and Glastonbury accountable for broadcasting it. The Israeli Embassy labeled the rallying cry “inflammatory and hateful rhetoric”.
Ireland-based group Kneecap, whose member faces terrorism charges, also led pro-Palestinian chants at the festival — adding to concerns over extremist support on prominent stages.
