Hungary Bans Kneecap From Sziget Over Security

Hungarian authorities have banned Belfast-based Irish rap group Kneecap from entering Hungary for three years, citing accusations of antisemitic hate speech and praise for Hamas and Hezbollah ahead of their scheduled Sziget Festival performance. Government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács described the group as a 'serious threat to national security,' prompting the ban and official calls for their removal from the festival. Kneecap has denied supporting militant groups and condemned attacks on civilians, claiming the ban aims to silence their criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza. More than 150 artists and cultural figures signed a petition opposing Kneecap's participation, while Sziget organizers have resisted government pressure, emphasizing artistic freedom and rejecting hate speech. The ban comes amid recent cancellations of Kneecap performances elsewhere and ongoing UK legal scrutiny of band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh for alleged terrorism-related offenses. The controversy underscores wider debates about free expression, political protest, and cultural boycotts in Europe.