The Trump administration has canceled the US visa for the Punkrap duo Bob Bilan after the group faced significant backlash for their provocative comments about Israel during a performance at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK over the weekend.
Originally set to perform in New York City and Washington, DC this fall, the group drew criticism when lead singer Bobby Villain led the audience in chants that included “death, death, death to IDF,” referring to the Israeli Defense Forces.
According to a statement from the State Department, “In light of the hateful rhetoric at Glastonbury, the US visa has been revoked for members of the Bob Bilan Band. Foreigners who promote violence and hatred are not welcome in our country.”
This action aligns with the administration’s efforts to limit visas for international students and others in response to the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israelis.
Interestingly, this marks a significant shift from past policies that treated visa decisions as private; typically, the Secretary of State wouldn’t publicly announce such actions.
Officials indicated that they couldn’t delve into specific visa decisions but emphasized the importance of national security and the processes involved. Bruce commented that the administration does not dictate what people can sing or say but rather focuses on who is allowed entry into the country.
He mentioned that concerns about national security include not only anti-Semitism and rising violence but also broader issues related to terrorism and crime affecting American life.
In response to the backlash, drummer Bobby Bilan defended the group’s statement on social media, asserting, “I said what I said.” He emphasized the need for children to voice their desires for change, suggesting this is key to improving the world.
British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer labeled the chants at Glastonbury as “horrifying hate speech,” while the BBC issued an apology for broadcasting the performance live after the statements were made.
