Glastonbury sees fierce support for Palestine amid Israel's ongoing war on Gaza

Musicians from all over the world gathered at the UK’s Glastonbury festival this week, as headlines were dominated  by artists expressing pro-Palestinian solidarity and vocally speaking out against Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip.

The festival, held in Somerset began on Wednesday and ends on Sunday. It features around 4,000 artists performing across 120 stages, with headline performances from Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo and Charli XCX.

The BBC who has broadcasting rights to the festival since 1996, refused to televise Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap’s set live on Saturday, instead saying their performance will available to watch on its streaming service, iPlayer.

In videos shared on social media, Kneecap led thousands of festival attendees in "Free Palestine" chants on Saturday, and criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer who said earlier this week that it "would be inappropriate" for the Irish band to perform at the festival.

During the performance, Naoise Ó Cairealláin said: "The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer."

Festival goers flew Palestinian flags in the crowd, while the members of Kneecap sported keffiyehs-  a symbol of Palestinian identity.

Ó Cairealláin also thanks organisers Michael and Emily Eavis for "standing strong" to have them perform at Glastonbury, despite opposition from British politicians.

The group also used their performance to stand in solidarity with Palestine Action, a UK-founded group whose main objective Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems in the country.

The UK government announced last week its intent to ban the group and designate them as "terrorist" entity, after their activists broke into an RAF base in Oxfordshire and damaged warplanes.

Kneecap member JJ Ó Dochartaigh wore a t-shirt which bore the message "We are all Palestine Action," in reference to the group.

A member of the activist group who had been jailed for nine months also spoke at one of the festival’s stages. Francesca Nadin spoke of the group’s tactics targeting weapons manufacturing companies, prompting cheers from the crowd.

"We’re gonna keep fighting until they’re all gone," she said, in reference to such factories.

Another Kneecap member also reportedly said fans "should start a riot" in reference to his bandmate’s upco0ming court appearance on alleged terror charges for waving a Hezbollah flag during a concert.

He later clarified: "No riots just love and support, and support for Palestine."

Bob Vylan leads anti-Israel chant

Much to the amusement of activists and music fans online, the BBC instead opted to broadcast British punk rap duo Bob Vylan, who also led a charged pro-Palestine performance.

During their performance, the London-based duo chanted the relatively standard "Free, free Palestine" to crowds of festival goers, many of whom were waving Palestinian, as well as Lebanese, flags.

But shortly after, one of the duo’s members said: "But have you heard this one though?," before leading the crowd to chant "Death, death to the IDF," in reference to the Israeli military, who have carried out numerous killings and war crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, particularly since October 2023

Singer Bobby Vylan then chanted: "From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah [God willing] will be free."

In response, a spokesperson for the BBC said the broadcaster "strongly condemned" the performance, calling it "deeply offensive". The spokesperson also added that it will not be available to watch on demand either.

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she "seek an urgent explanation" from the BBC’s Director General following the performance, adding that she "welcomed the decision" not to upload the performance online.

In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting went on to label the performance as "appalling" but also said Israel should "get its own house in order" regarding its conduct in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Bob Vylan’s comments are also being examined by Avon and Somerset police, who said in a statement that video evidence will be assessed by officers to "determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation".

Police said they will also look into Kneecap's comments during their Glastonbury set.

On Friday, fellow Irish musician, singer-songwriter CMAT, also helped the crowd chant "Free, free Palestine", as she ended her set.

CMAT’s performance was also broadcast by the BBC.

Irish personalities, as well as the Irish government, have been among the most outspoken critics of Israel’s war in Gaza, often drawing parallels with the British occupation of the country.

Kneecap made headlines in recent months for being outspoken critics of Gaza’s war in Israel and the ongoing genocide against Palestinians, which has killed over 56,000 since 7 October, 2023.

The critically acclaimed trio, famed for incorporating the Irish language in their music and advocating for Irish republicanism, accused US music festival Coachella, where they performed in April, of attempting to censor their pro-Palestinian message.

The band managed to display several messages during their second set of the California-based festival including "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people... It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes," and "F*** Israel. Free Palestine" - eliciting an online frenzy and interest in the Irish group's music.