“Death to the IDF”: Bob Vylan Sparks Global Backlash After Glastonbury Debacle
British rap duo Bob Vylan ignited fury at Glastonbury by chanting "Death to the IDF" on a BBC-broadcast stage. Now facing U.S. visa revocation and criminal investigation, their hate-filled rhetoric is drawing condemnation from governments, activists, and human rights groups.
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On June 28, 2025, Bob Vylan, consisting of vocalist Pascal Robinson-Foster (stage name Bobby Vylan) and drummer Bobbie Vylan, performed on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England. During their set, Bobby Vylan led the crowd in chants of “Free, Free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF” (Israel Defense Forces). They also displayed a message supporting Palestinians and stated, “From the river to the sea, Palestine… will be free,” a phrase some interpret as advocating for Israel’s elimination. The performance was live-streamed on BBC iPlayer, drawing significant attention.
Lyrics and Context:
Bob Vylan, formed in 2017 in Ipswich, is known for politically charged lyrics addressing issues like racism, police violence, and inequality, often blending punk, grime, and hip-hop. Bobby Vylan, who has Jamaican heritage, has a history of pro-Palestinian activism, attending his first protest at age 15. The duo’s Glastonbury chants were part of a broader set that included support for the Irish rap group Kneecap, who followed them and also expressed pro-Palestinian sentiments.
U.S. State Department Response
Visa Revocation Consideration: A senior State Department official told The Daily Wire that the U.S. is “already looking at revocation” of Bob Vylan’s visas ahead of their planned “Inertia Tour,” which includes approximately 20 U.S. cities, starting in Spokane, Washington, on October 24, 2025, with a stop in Washington, D.C.
The official stated, “Under the Trump Administration, the U.S. government will not issue visas to any foreigner who supports terrorists,” framing the chants as support for terrorism.
Task Force Involvement: Leo Terrell, chair of the Department of Justice’s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, announced plans to contact Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 30, 2025, to ensure Bob Vylan cannot enter the U.S. Terrell called the chants “abhorrent” and aimed to prevent “violent antisemitic rhetoric” during the tour.
StopAntisemitism Advocacy: The group StopAntisemitism, led by Liora Rez, has pushed for visa revocation, labeling Bobby Vylan’s chants as antisemitic and inciting violence. They posted on X, “This antisemite must have his visa denied/rescinded - his hate is not welcome here,” highlighting their campaign to block the duo’s U.S. entry.
Reactions and Investigations
UK Official Condemnations: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled the chants “appalling hate speech,” demanding an explanation from the BBC for broadcasting them. Health Secretary Wes Streeting called them “revolting,” referencing the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on an Israeli music festival, but also urged Israel to address settler violence against Palestinians. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy sought answers from the BBC, and the Israeli Embassy in the UK condemned the “inflammatory and hateful rhetoric.”
Glastonbury Organizers: Festival organizer Emily Eavis stated the chants “very much crossed a line,” emphasizing that Glastonbury does not endorse performers’ views but has no place for “antisemitism, hate speech, or incitement to violence.” The festival, hosting nearly 4,000 acts, distanced itself from the performance.
BBC Response: The BBC called the comments “deeply offensive,” issuing an on-screen warning about “very strong and discriminatory language” during the live stream. The performance was removed from BBC iPlayer and will not be available on demand. The broadcaster faced criticism for not vetting the act, with antisemitism campaigners and UK Lawyers for Israel accusing it of potentially violating laws against inciting racial hatred.
Police Investigation:
Avon and Somerset Police are reviewing video evidence to determine if Bob Vylan’s chants constitute a criminal offense, such as incitement to violence or racial hatred. This follows comparisons to a case where Lucy Connolly was jailed for 31 months for a racist social media post. No arrests have been reported.
Bob Vylan’s Response:
On June 29, Bobby Vylan posted on Instagram, mocking critics with a photo of himself eating vegan ice cream, captioned, “While zionists are crying on socials, I’ve just had late night (vegan) ice cream.” On June 30, he doubled down, stating his phone was “buzzing non-stop” with support and hatred, but stood by his comments, calling for a “change in foreign policy” and emphasizing the importance of inspiring future generations to advocate for change. He captioned this, “I said what I said.”
Kneecap Controversy: The Irish rap group Kneecap, who performed after Bob Vylan, also led “Free Palestine” chants and faced scrutiny for past statements, including one member, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara), being charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a November 2024 London concert. The BBC did not stream Kneecap’s set due to these concerns.
U.S. Tour Implications
Inertia Tour: Bob Vylan’s planned U.S. tour, set to begin in October 2025, includes major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. The visa revocation, if enacted, would prevent these performances, aligning with the Trump administration’s policy against admitting foreigners deemed to support terrorism. No final decision has been confirmed.
UPDATE: Not only were their visas revoked, but also their talent agency dropped them.
Sources: BBC, NY Times, The Guardian, AP News, Daily Mail