Police Investigate Political Protests at Glastonbury Festival Amid Kneecap Controversy

The Irish hip-hop group Kneecap sparked significant controversy at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival due to their outspoken pro-Palestinian stance and politically charged performances, including chants against UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and calls to "Free Palestine." Their frontman, Liam O'Hanna (Mo Chara), faced terrorism charges related to displaying a Hezbollah flag, intensifying the debate around their appearance. Despite political pressure and calls from Starmer and other officials to remove them from the lineup, festival organizers and over 100 musicians publicly supported Kneecap, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices at Glastonbury. The BBC initially faced criticism for potentially not broadcasting their set live but later confirmed the performance would be available on iPlayer, amidst allegations that the broadcaster was balancing editorial guidelines and political sensitivities. The controversy also prompted responses from the UK Minister of Culture and the Israeli embassy, who condemned the rhetoric, while police announced investigations into potential offenses. Kneecap maintained their position, framing their onstage acts as character-driven and rejecting full responsibility for all content displayed during performances.