Irish trio calls probe ‘state intimidation’ after band member taken to court docket over pro-Palestine message at Glastonbury.
Police in the UK have determined to not take any additional motion towards Kneecap in a case associated to the Irish hip-hop trio’s opposition to Israel.
Avon and Somerset police stated in an announcement on Friday that they carried out an investigation over the music group’s efficiency at Glastonbury Pageant on June 28 and sought recommendation from the Crown Prosecution Service.
“We’ve made the choice to take no additional motion on the grounds there’s inadequate proof to offer a practical prospect of conviction for any offence,” it stated, including that it has knowledgeable the band in regards to the determination.
Kneecap, which has repeatedly taken a pro-Palestine stance throughout their exhibits and on-line, confirmed they have been knowledgeable in regards to the determination by way of a consultant.
“Each single one that noticed our set knew no regulation was damaged, not even shut,” they stated in a put up on-line, saying the investigation amounted to “state intimidation”.
One factor of the political policing intimidation try is over.
We performed a historic set at Glastonbury. Complete space closed an hour earlier than attributable to crowds. A celebration of affection and solidarity. A sea of fine folks on the world’s most well-known competition.
Shortly afterwards we… pic.twitter.com/S0BsMeOM83
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) July 18, 2025
A member of the band had been charged with a “terrorism” offence for waving a flag of the Lebanese group Hezbollah at a live performance in London in November 2024.
The Belfast-based trio had additionally been linking the struggles of the Irish underneath British colonial rule to these of Palestinians dwelling underneath Israeli occupation and siege for many years, and has been recognized for its political and satirical lyrics.
Avon and Somerset police stated of their assertion that an investigation is ongoing in relation to separate feedback made on stage by rap-punk duo Bob Vylan.
Bob Vylan has additionally been supporting Palestinians and used the UK’s largest summer time music competition in late June to steer the crowds in chanting towards the Israeli navy.
The duo chanted “demise” to the Israeli military and “free Palestine”, resulting in a felony investigation by British police.
After the efficiency, which pro-Israel voices branded as “anti-Semitic”, UK broadcaster BBC stated it could not live-broadcast musical performances deemed “excessive threat”.
The British authorities, a staunch supporter of Israel and a major arms provider to its Israeli navy, additionally referred to as the chants “appalling hate speech”.
Authorities in the US revoked the visas of the musicians, who rejected being towards any spiritual teams and stated they’re in favour of “dismantling a violent navy machine” that has destroyed a lot of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli navy has killed a minimum of 58,667 Palestinians within the besieged enclave since October 2023, and wounded almost 140,000 others, in line with Gaza’s Ministry of Well being. About 20,000 youngsters are amongst these killed.
