Irish band Kneecap says Canada ban aims to ‘silence opposition to genocide’

The Canadian government has imposed a ban on the Irish rapper Kneecap after it was claimed that it supported groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which led to accusations that the group was endorsing political violence and terrorism.

With gigs canceled and the rappers barred from other countries because of their strident pro-Palestinian stance, Kneecap has emerged as one of the most contentious organizations in the music industry.

Kneecap members were deemed ineligible for entry on Friday because of their actions and statements in violation of Canadian law, according to Vince Gasparro, a Liberal member of the Canadian parliament and parliamentary secretary for combating crime.

In a video posted on social media, Gasparro claimed Kneecap has “publicly supported terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas.” This goes beyond artistic expression.

Canada “strongly opposes terrorism glorification, incitement to violence, and hate speech.” Our democracy depends on political debate and free speech, but he claimed that openly promoting terrorist organizations is not free speech.

In 2002, Canada labeled both Hezbollah and Hamas terrorist organizations.

Kneecap responded, calling Gasparro’s statements “wholly untrue and profoundly malicious” and threatening to prosecute him.

In a social media post, it stated, “We will be relentless in defending ourselves against baseless accusations to silence our opposition to a genocide being committed by Israel.” No Kneecap member has ever been found guilty of a crime in any nation, and there is no legal justification for his actions.

Next month, Kneecap was scheduled to perform in Toronto and Vancouver.

A note to Vince Gasparro and our numerous Canadian fans. 👇 https://t.co/66avCapPgn pic. twitter.com/ySsrgpMs6J

In response to privacy concerns, Canada’s immigration ministry declined to comment on the situation.

The government’s decision, according to the Canadian-based advocacy group Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, was a “victory,” while the Jewish organization B’nai Brith referred to it as a “victory”.

With festivals like Germany’s Hurricane and Southside dropping them from their lineups this summer, Kneecap has been criticized for its political statements that appear to glorify Hamas and Lebanon.

Liam Og O hAnnaidh, a group member who was initially charged with aggravated terrorism in the United Kingdom for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a performance in London in November 2024, was charged with a terrorism offence in the United Kingdom in May. He performs under the stage name Mo Chara. He denies that the group stage was thrown during the event, claiming that the flag was thrown on top.

Kneecap has accused critics of trying to silence the band because of its support for the Palestinian cause throughout Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 65 000 people and destroyed much of the area since it started in October 2023. They claim that they do not support or condone violence Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Belfast-based band had been scheduled to play at the Sziget Festival in Budapest in August before Hungary imposed a three-year ban on them in July.