Death threat to IDF chanted at Glastonbury music festival prompts online outrage
At the glastonbury music festival, a rap duo named Bob Vylan incited controversy after leading a crowd chant that included calls for violence against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during their performance. The duo encouraged attendees to shout “Death, death to the IDF,” followed by statements advocating for Palestine’s freedom. The festival organizers subsequently condemned the remarks, stating that they do not tolerate antisemitism, hate speech, or incitement to violence. They emphasized that a performer’s appearance does not imply endorsement of their views.
In response to the incident, Avon and Somerset Police announced they would review the footage to determine if any offenses had occurred. The incident sparked significant backlash online, with some public figures, including Senator Ted Cruz, criticizing the festival’s attendees, linking the actions to a broader problem of antisemitism within left-wing movements. Calls arose for Bob Vylan to have his visa revoked due to his statements, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding artistic expression and political stances at public events.
Death threat to IDF chanted at Glastonbury music festival prompts online outrage
The Glastonbury music festival came under fire on Saturday when one performance led a chant calling for the death of the Israel Defense Forces.
Bob Vylan, a rap duo with two members, Bobby and Bobbie, rallied the U.K. crowd to cheer “Free, free Palestine” before Bobby prompted the crowd to chant “death, death to the IDF.”
“Hell yeah, from the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it will be free,” Bobby, whose legal name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, said after the chant.
“As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in – and actively campaign for – hope, unity, peace and love,” festival organizers wrote in a statement. “With almost 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer’s presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs.”
“However, we are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday. Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence,” the statement continued.
Since the clip circulated online, Avon and Somerset Police Departments told the Associated Press they will review the footage “to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”
Meanwhile, others shared their reactions online.
“Truly sick. Thousands of people screaming “Death to the IDF.” This is the base of the Democrat Party,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said Sunday on X. “Lots of comments saying this is in England. True. These are the looney British anti-Israel Left. They are the very same antisemitic zealots as the American anti-Israel Left—to whom the Democrat Party is utterly beholden.”
“He’s coming to the U.S. this fall as part of the Inertia Tour. This antisemite must have his visa denied/rescinded – his hate is not welcome here,” the organization Stop Antisemitism said of Vylan.
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The festival featured another rap group, Knee Cap, that also led a chant of “Free Palestine.” One of Knee Cap’s members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, has charges against him under the Terrorism Act. Ó hAnnaidh is accused of waving a Hezbollah flag at a London concert last year.
Singer Nadine Shah also incorporated politics into her set. Her backdrop showed President Donald Trump sitting shirtless with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in beach chairs. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was also shown serving them drinks while what appeared to be Gaza was under attack behind them.
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