Irish-language rap group Kneecap disputed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s claim that it was inappropriate for the band to perform at the Glastonbury Festival in front of tens of thousands of people chanting “Free Palestine.”
The Palestinian Action Group, which UK Interior Minister Yvette Cooper announced last week would become a prohibited group under the Terrorism Act of 2000, was also given a “shout-out” by the group’s CEO, Liam O’Hanna, on Saturday.
O’Hanna, who posed for the stage in front of a capacity crowd of about 2,000 people while waving Palestinian flags, said, “The prime minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer.”
O’Hanna, who performs under the name Mo Chara, said, “This situation can be quite stressful, but it’s minimal compared to what the Palestinian people are]facing.” She compared the band’s outcry for its outspoken support of Palestinians in Gaza.
He is accused of supporting a prohibited organization under the British Terrorism Act after allegedly waving the Hezbollah armed group’s flag at a concert in London in November of last year.
O’Hanna claims he unwittingly removed a flag from the stage.
Before a further court hearing in August, the rapper is being held without condition.
“Glastonbury, I’m a free man” The trio sang as they entered Glastonbury’s West Holts Field, which has about 30 000 spectators.
The trio thanked festival organizers Michael and Emily Eavis for preventing pressure to, including from Starmer, cancel their appearance.
Since the band’s April performance at the Californian Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where they accused Israel of genocide against the Palestinians, which the US government had facilitated, several Kneecap concerts have been postponed.
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, at least 56, 412 Palestinians have died and 133, 054 have been injured.
Many people believe that the government and people of Ireland have had skepticism about the war, as well as Israel’s deliberate starvation of Gaza’s population, which has parallels with the English occupation of Ireland.
Kneecap’s live performance was not made available by the BBC, which later made it available online.
The broadcaster stated that it would not be re-airing the live performance of British rap punk duo Bob Vylan, who sang “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF]Israeli army.”
The comments, according to a BBC spokesman, were “deeply offensive” and would not be replayable on BBC iPlayer.
After the chants were broadcast live, UK Culture Minister Lisa Nandy reportedly contacted BBC director general Tim Davie in search of an “urgent explanation.”
Avon and Somerset Police also stated that they would be looking into footage taken of both Kneecap and Bob Vylan’s sets to “determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”
