Visa Controversy for British Rap Duo

The State Department is reportedly looking to revoke the visa of British rap punk duo Bobby Vylan after they chanted phrases like “Death to IDF” and “Free Palestine” during a performance at a UK music festival.

As reported by various sources over the weekend, one half of the duo, Bobby Vylan, led the crowd at Glastonbury with chants such as “Death, Death to the IDF” and “River to the Sea, Palestine will be free.”

In response to these performances, which were aired nationwide on the BBC, the Israeli embassy in the UK expressed being “deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric” displayed on stage.

According to a report, the State Department is deliberating over whether the duo’s visa should indeed be canceled. An official pointed out that, under the previous administration, visas were not issued to individuals endorsing terrorism.

Leo Terrell, head of the Justice Department’s Task Force against anti-Semitism, stated he would urge Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure Vylan does not enter the U.S.

“These abhorrent chants, including calls for the death of Israeli Defense Forces members, have no place in a civilized society,” Terrell remarked. He added that Vylan is expected to tour in the United States soon. Terrell’s task force plans to connect with the State Department to explore steps to counter this type of violent messaging in the country.