UK police have launched an investigation following reports of anti-Israeli chants at the Glastonbury music festival, where performers and audience members chanted slogans such as ‘Death to the IDF’ during a live performance broadcast by the BBC. The incident has sparked international condemnation, with the Israeli Embassy in London condemning the rhetoric as ‘advocacy of ethnic cleansing’ and calling for increased scrutiny of such expressions.
The controversy has escalated after a member of the punk-rap duo Bob Vylan shouted the controversial slogan during a performance, which was captured on video and shared widely on social media. The videos show crowd members waving Palestinian flags and echoing the chants, raising concerns about the normalization of extremist language at public events. Avon and Somerset Police have stated that they are reviewing video footage to determine whether any crimes may have been committed, potentially leading to a criminal investigation.
The UK government has also expressed its disapproval, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy holding discussions with BBC Director General Tim Davie to demand an urgent explanation for airing the performance. The BBC has since condemned the remarks as deeply offensive and announced that the segment would be removed from BBC iPlayer. This incident has reignited broader debates over the boundaries of free speech and political expression in the context of ongoing global tensions between Israel and its critics.
Amid the rising tensions, the conflict in Gaza has been a central point of contention, with over 56,000 Palestinians killed since 2023. The violence has been triggered by the October 7 Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the capture of more than 200 hostages. The situation has led to a rise in anti-Semitic incidents and pro-Palestinian demonstrations in various countries, highlighting the complex and polarized nature of the conflict on a global scale.