GLASTONBURY, England: British police mentioned they had been contemplating whether or not to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Competition made anti-Israel feedback throughout their exhibits.
“We’re conscious of the feedback made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Competition this afternoon,” Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, mentioned on X late on Saturday (Jun 28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate exhibits on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of many members of Bob Vylan chanted “Demise, demise, to the IDF” in a reference to the Israel Protection Forces.
“Video proof shall be assessed by officers to find out whether or not any offences might have been dedicated that might require a felony investigation,” the police assertion mentioned.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain mentioned it was “deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage on the Glastonbury Competition”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned earlier this month it was “not applicable” for Kneecap to seem at Glastonbury.
The band’s frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence final month for allegedly displaying a flag in help of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a live performance in November. He has denied the cost.
A British authorities minister mentioned it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the competition’s organisers and the BBC broadcaster – which is exhibiting the occasion – had inquiries to reply.
Well being Secretary Wes Streeting mentioned he was additionally appalled by violence dedicated by Israeli settlers within the occupied West Financial institution.
“I would additionally say to the Israeli Embassy, get your personal home so as when it comes to the conduct of your personal residents and the settlers within the West Financial institution,” Streeting informed Sky Information.
“I want they’d take the violence of their very own residents in direction of Palestinians extra severely,” he mentioned.
