Irish rap group Kneecap doubles down on Palestine support after alleged Coachella censorship

Critically-acclaimed Irish rap group Kneecap have stressed support for Palestine amid Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza, following allegations that triggered an online frenzy among fans after the trio accused US music festival Coachella of reportedly censoring pro-Palestine messaging during last weekend's slot. 

Kneecap, known for their bold, anti-colonialist Irish-language rap and expanding global following, took to social media on Friday, the same day of their performance during the second weekend of the California-based festival. 

On their official account on social media platform X, the trio posted a set of photos from their most recent set, which highlighted the Coachella stage backdrop containing various texts which illustrated solidarity with Palestinians. 

The first backdrop displayed during the performance stated: "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people." 

The second declared: "It is being enabled by the US government, who arm and funds Israel despite their war crimes."

The final backdrop featured a bold declaration in support of Palestinian liberation: "F*** Israel / Free Palestine."

US political commentator Hasan Piker, a vocal pro-Palestine advocate on popular livestreaming platform Twitch, also joined the group on stage mid-performance in support, while donning the Palestinian kuffiyeh- a symbol of Palestinian identity. 

Also present at the performance was Lebanese-American media personality Mia Khalifa, who was photographed backstage with the group while wearing an Irish football jersey- widely interpreted as a nod to the band.  

Though known initially for her work in the adult film industry, Khalifa has since become a vocal advocate for various social causes, most notably Palestinian rights.  

Since the war on Gaza began on 7 October 2023, she has been an outspoken presence online, particularly during Israel's bombardment of southern Lebanon from 8 October onwards. 

Kneecap, whose work frequently confronts social and political issues, had already accused Coachella of suppressing their pro-Palestinian messaging during their first-weekend appearance at the festival. 

In a post dated 12 April, the trio criticised organisers for allegedly preventing their on-screen visuals from being displayed during their set- a decision they said they were determined to challenge.  

The group also mentioned that their livestream was abruptly cut, attributing it to anti-Margaret Thatcher chants included in one of their tracks. 

"Not the only thing that was cut - our messaging on the US-backed genocide in Gaza somehow never appeared on screens either," Kneecap wrote on X.  

"Back next Friday, Coachella and it’ll be sorted."

The incident sparked mixed reactions online. While some attendees were reportedly angered by the controversy, Kneecap received widespread praise on social media for continuing to highlight the Palestinian struggle despite alleged censorship. 

One user wrote on X: "[Kneecap] shows what it means to be artists against apartheid."

"Using your art, your platform, and voice at stages like #Coachella to be in firm solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation, to fight against the US-backed Israeli genocide, and to stand with the students abducted and detained by ICE, like Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, Badar Khan Suri, and Mohsen Mahdawi who are being persecuted for standing on the right side of history."

Another user wrote in a separate post: "Kneecap got their Coachella livestream cut off last week for talking about Palestine (and mocking Margaret Thatcher) and still refused to stop that's why they're the GOATS [Greatest of all Time]."

US punk rock legends Green Day also drew attention during the festival, with lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong altering lyrics to their 2004 hit Jesus of Suburbia during their headline performance.  

In place of the original line: "Runnin' away from pain when you've been victimised," Armstrong sang: "Runnin' away from pain, like the kids from Palestine / Tales from another broken home."

These performances came as reports indicated that at least 52 Palestinians had been killed in renewed Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip since early Saturday. 

Since the breakdown of the ceasefire on 18 March, nearly 1,700 Palestinians have been reported to have been killed in Gaza as Israel resumes its military campaign.