U.S. Bans British Rap-Punk Duo Bob Vylan After Controversial Glastonbury Chant

The U.S. State Department has officially barred the British rap-punk duo Bob Vylan from entering the United States after a performance at the Glastonbury Festival sparked widespread criticism and concerns about incitement to violence.

Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau announced on Monday via X (formerly Twitter) that visas held by the band and their touring crew had been revoked. “There is no place in the United States for individuals who incite violence and propagate hatred,” Landau said.

The decision follows a performance where Bob Vylan’s lead singer led the audience in chanting “death, death to the IDF,” referring to the Israel Defense Forces. Video clips from the festival also show the musician shouting “Free, free Palestine” and declaring, “From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, Inshallah it will be free.”

While some supporters described the chants as a political protest in support of Palestinians, critics argued the language crossed into calls for violence. Disturbed frontman David Draiman, who is of Jewish heritage, condemned the performance on Instagram, saying the chant amounts to promoting genocide since all Israeli citizens must serve in the IDF.

The slogan “from the river to the sea” has become highly controversial, especially since the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel and the military response that followed. Many see the phrase as a call to erase the state of Israel, though others insist it is simply a message of solidarity.

Police in the United Kingdom confirmed they have opened an investigation to determine whether the chants at Glastonbury broke laws against hate speech. “We have received a large amount of contact about these events from people across the world and recognize the strength of public feeling,” the department said. “There is no place in society for hate.”

Bob Vylan, known for combining punk energy with outspoken political messages, has not yet commented publicly on either the U.S. ban or the police investigation.

While some free speech advocates are warning that revoking visas over political speech sets a troubling precedent, others argue that calls for violence cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

The controversy has quickly become a global debate about where the line lies between protest and incitement and whether artists should be held accountable for words that inspire anger and division.