Northern Ireland’s rap group Knee relations has labeled accusations of terrorist activities against one of its members as “political police” aimed at silencing criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
“14,000 babies have died of starvation in Gaza, and the world is just on the other side of the wall, and once again the UK is focusing on us,” they stated Thursday on X. “This is a carnival of distractions. We’re not the story here—Genocide is.”
On Wednesday, Liam ógó Hannady, 27, was charged with a terrorist crime for performing under the stage name Mo chara and for displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London performance. He is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 18th.
The Metropolitan Police said the incident involved displaying the flag at the O2 Forum in Kentishtown on November 21 of last year in a manner that cast reasonable doubt about his support for a banned organization.
Investigators from the Met’s anti-terrorism unit reviewed online videos from the event on April 22 and initiated an inquiry. This has led to the Crown Prosecutor’s Services approving the charges, according to the statement.
The band stated they will vigorously contest what they deem politically motivated accusations, questioning the seriousness of the court system in this case. “What’s the purpose? To limit travel? To prevent youth from connecting globally? To silence voices of compassion?”
Knee relations accused British authorities of targeting critiques of the Israeli Defense Forces’ actions. “The IDF units conducting their missions are real terrorists, and the world can see that.”
Their support for Palestine has faced heavy scrutiny, especially after they used their California Coachella Festival performance last month to condemn Israeli attacks.
In a video from the November 2023 concert, one member appeared to say, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill the local MP.” Another video showed a banner expressing support for Hezbollah. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK, and support for them is illegal.
The group expressed remorse to the families of slain lawmakers, clarifying that they do not endorse Hamas or Hezbollah, and described the controversy as an attempt to distract from the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In a statement, they affirmed their alignment with historical justice.
The campaign against anti-Semitism reported the group to counter-terrorism police but welcomed the prosecution efforts, saying, “The law must take its course.”
Simon Harris, Irish Foreign Minister and Tanaiste, refrained from commenting directly on the incident but noted that Hezbollah and Hamas should not be conflated with the Palestinian cause. He criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “consistent pattern of war crimes,” further stating that a recent Israeli government statement indicates “we are now in a space of genocide operations.”
