Visa Revoked for British Rap Duo Following Controversial Performance

The US State Department recently announced the revocation of the visa for British punk rap group Bob Villains. This decision came after the band led chants of “Death to IDF” at a concert over the weekend.

The State Department explained the revocation, stating, “The visa for members of the Bob Villains Band has been revoked due to their hate-filled tirade at Glastonbury.”

“Foreigners who promote violence and hatred are not welcome here,” an official added.

The duo performed at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England, where they chanted “Death, Death to IDF” and “Free and Free Palestine” to a crowd of tens of thousands on Saturday.

This incident has sparked local government investigations, as noted by local authorities.

In response, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized Bob Villains, labeling their performance as “horrifying hate speech.”

Starmer also took issue with another act, the Irish rap group Kneecap.

“I believe Kneecap shouldn’t be given a platform, and this goes for any performers who incite violence,” Starmer remarked.

Kneecap also performed at the festival and led chants directed at Starmer.

In a statement, the BBC expressed regret for not cutting the livestream during Bob Villains’ set, noting, “The anti-Semitic sentiments expressed by Bob Villains are completely unacceptable and should not have been broadcast.”

“While the team was managing the live situation, in hindsight, they should have ended the stream. They regret this lack of action,” the BBC mentioned.

Before the visa revocation, Bob Villains had planned a tour in the United States for October.

The band later addressed the backlash, stating, “Today, many people will try to convince you that punk bands are the greatest threat to global peace.”

“We do not support the death of any groups, whether Jews, Arabs, or others. Our aim is to dismantle brutal military operations that are instructed to use excessive force against innocent civilians seeking aid.”

Bob Villains have also referenced reports alleging that Israeli soldiers received orders to fire on unarmed Palestinians trying to access food aid. Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have dismissed these claims as unfounded.

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