The U.S. State Department has revoked the visas of the British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan following their performance at the Glastonbury Music Festival, where they led chants calling for ‘death to the IDF’ and ‘Free Palestine.’ The band, composed of Bobby Vylan and Bobbie Vylan, were set to tour the U.S. in 2025, but the visa revocation bars them from entering. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued multiple warnings that the State Department will rescind visas for ‘terrorists’ and those affiliated with them, following the antisemitic terror attack in Boulder, Colorado.
During the Glastonbury performance, Bobby Vylan led the audience in chants of ‘Free, Free, Free Palestine’ and concluded with ‘Hell yeah, from the river to the sea. Palestine must be, will be inshallah, it will be free.’ The U.S. State Department cited the band’s support for ‘terrorist sympathizers,’ which aligns with Rubio’s stance against granting visas for such affiliations. In response, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the hate speech, asserting that ‘there is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech.’ The BBC also issued an apology for airing the performance live, stating they should have cut the stream during the antisemitic chants, which were deemed unacceptable.
Bobby Vylan defended his actions in a social media post, stating, ‘I said what I said.’ He further emphasized the importance of promoting change, stating, ‘Let us display to them loudly and visibly the right thing to do when we want and need change.’ The BBC’s decision to cut the live stream of the performance sparked debate on the balance between freedom of expression and the need to prevent incitement to violence. The incident highlights the growing sensitivity around antisemitism in public spaces and the role of media in addressing such content.
The controversy surrounding Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance has intensified the discussion on the responsibilities of artists and media in promoting or condemning hate speech. As the band faces the consequences of their actions, the broader implications for free speech and the handling of anti-Israel rhetoric in the public sphere remain under scrutiny. The U.S. State Department’s revocation of their visas underscores the administration’s stance against supporting or tolerating antisemitism, reflecting a broader political and social context in which such issues are increasingly politicized.