Police Investigate Hateful Chants by Bob Vylan, Kneecap at Glastonbury

Performances by British punk duo Bob Vylan and Irish rap trio Kneecap at the Glastonbury Festival have drawn widespread condemnation and police scrutiny due to controversial chants and statements. Bob Vylan's frontman led the crowd in chanting "Free, free Palestine" and "Death, death to the IDF," while Kneecap encouraged fans to "start a riot" and openly criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had previously expressed disapproval of their appearance. Avon and Somerset Police are reviewing video footage to determine if any criminal offences were committed during these performances. The Israeli Embassy condemned the rhetoric as hateful and inciting ethnic cleansing, urging festival organizers and public leaders to denounce such extremism. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the events as "grotesque," warning against the normalization of violent language. The controversy has sparked national and international backlash, with calls for accountability and reflection on the boundaries of freedom of expression at public events.