GLASTONBURY, England — Avon and Somerset Police confirmed a review of video evidence following anti-Israel chants at the Glastonbury Festival by punk duo Bob Vylan, including calls to kill members of the Israel Defence Forces, an act police say “may constitute offences” under UK law.
Bob Vylan led the crowd in chanting “Free Palestine,” then escalated to “Death, death to the IDF,” and concluded with “From the river to the sea.” Those slogans were immediately decried as calls for violence and the destruction of Israel.
Some band called Bob Vylan (named after the Jewish Bob Dylan?) shows how Glastonbury is all about love and inclusivity:
— Nicole Lampert (@nicolelampert) June 28, 2025
Starts with ‘Free free Palestine.’
Then gets the crowd singing: ‘Death death to the IDF.’
Finishing with the genocidal flourish: ‘From the River to the Sea… pic.twitter.com/WkBVQTJPHG
The U.S. State Department is reportedly taking steps to revoke Bob Vylan’s visas ahead of his planned U.S. tour. “The U.S. will not issue visas to foreigners who support terrorists,” a spokesperson said.
The Israeli Embassy in London sharply condemned the remarks. “The Embassy of Israel in the United Kingdom is deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric,” it said in a statement. “Chants such as ‘Death to the IDF’ and ‘From the river to the sea’ … advocate for the dismantling of the State of Israel and implicitly call for the elimination of Jewish self-determination.” It urged festival organizers, artists, and UK leaders to repudiate such rhetoric.
The Community Security Trust, which protects Jews in Britain, called the slogans “an expression of mass hatred” and “a disgrace” that was broadcast on the BBC. “Jewish people across the country will be horrified,” the trust said, urging Glastonbury and the BBC to explain how the chants were aired and ensure it never occurs again.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews also condemned the incident. Vice President Andrew Gilbert said many Jews and BBC viewers felt “shock and outrage” and called the chants “hate-filled messages.” He welcomed the police and BBC action, but said Glastonbury’s claim of promoting “peace, unity, respect and hope rings hollow” when its stage is used to promote death.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer added his voice, calling the chants “appalling hate speech” and saying that neither Bob Vylan nor the Irish rap group Kneecap, who followed with pro-Palestine chants and support for terrorism-related protest, should have been allowed to perform.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the incident as “revolting” and urged both the BBC and Glastonbury to explain the live broadcast. He said the festival must take responsibility for preventing hateful messages from being given a megaphone.
Festival organisers asked for calm while stating the remarks “crossed a line.” West Holts stage director Emily Eavis emphasised that Glastonbury rejects “antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.”
This article is based on verified information from Avon and Somerset Police, Reuters, The Associated Press, statements from the Israeli Embassy, Community Security Trust, Board of Deputies of British Jews, and public UK government comments.
People like him need to be locked up.
Or to be sent to Israel to be held on trial.