[IsraelTimes] Irish rap group Kneecap, other performers, lead pro-Palestinian chants and deliver profanity-laden rants about ‘Zionists’ to cheering crowds at the world-renowned event.
NO STRANGERS TO CONTROVERSY
Formed in 2017, Kneecap is known for anarchic energy, satirical lyrics and use of symbolism associated with the Irish republican movement, which seeks to unite Northern Ireland, currently part of the UK, with the Republic of Ireland.
To their fans, they are daring provocateurs who stand up to the establishment; to their detractors, they are dangerous extremists.
The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, especially since videos emerged showing the band shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and calling for the death of British Conservative lawmakers.
They have since apologized for the latter incident, which sparked outrage as two MPs have been murdered in the UK in the past nine years, and many worry about their safety.
But the group denies the terrorism charge and says the video featuring the Hezbollah flag has been taken out of context.
Asked whether he regretted waving it, and other comments caught on camera, Chara told the Guardian in an interview published Friday: “Why should I regret it? It was a joke — we’re playing characters.”
GLASTONBURY REJECTS CRITICISM
Since Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged, the group has been pulled from a slew of summer gigs, including a Scottish festival appearance and various performances in Germany.
But Glastonbury organizers defied Starmer, who had said it was not “appropriate” for Kneecap to perform at one of the country’s biggest and most famous music festivals.
“People that don’t like the politics of the event can go somewhere else,” Michael Eavis, co-founder of the festival, said in an article published in a free newspaper for festival-goers.
“There have been a lot of really heated topics this year, but we remain a platform for many, many artists from all over the world and, you know, everyone is welcome here,” Emily Eavis, one of the organizers, said.
During their hour-long set, Kneecap thanked both organizers for not bowing to the pressure to cancel their appearance.
Approached by the Daily Mail for comment following Saturday’s performances, Glastonbury Festival said only that it “does not condone hate speech or incitement to violence of any kind from its performers.”
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