BBC Faces Intense Scrutiny Over Bob Vylan’s ‘Antisemitic’ Glastonbury Performance

LONDON (AP) — The BBC has today admitted it should have pulled a livestream of rap duo Bob Vylan’s performance at the Glastonbury Festival, which featured the group leading crowds in chants calling for “death” to the Israeli military. The British broadcaster labeled the chants “antisemitic,” prompting strong condemnation from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called it “appalling hate speech.”

The controversy erupted after the rap punk duo’s performance on Saturday, June 28, at the U.K.’s largest summer music festival. Rapper Bobby Vylan led attendees in chants of “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF,” referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

In a statement issued Monday, the BBC affirmed its respect for freedom of expression but declared it “stands firmly against incitement to violence,” adding that the “antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.” Prime Minister Starmer has demanded an explanation from the BBC regarding the broadcast.

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom expressed significant concern, stating the BBC “clearly has questions to answer.” While the BBC initially issued an on-screen warning about “very strong and discriminatory language,” this has not quelled the criticism. The Israeli Embassy to the U.K. had already voiced deep disturbance over the “inflammatory and hateful rhetoric” at the festival over the weekend.

Bob Vylan, known for their politically charged lyrics, addressed the backlash via social media, with singer Bobby Vylan noting an influx of both support and hatred. Meanwhile, police are reviewing video evidence to determine if any offenses were committed during the festival performances.

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