Irish trio calls probe ‘state intimidation’ after band member taken to courtroom over pro-Palestine message at Glastonbury.
Police in the UK have determined to not take any additional motion towards Kneecap in a case associated to the Irish hip-hop trio’s opposition to Israel.
Avon and Somerset police mentioned in a press release on Friday that they carried out an investigation over the music group’s efficiency at Glastonbury Pageant on June 28 and sought recommendation from the Crown Prosecution Service.
“Now we have made the choice to take no additional motion on the grounds there’s inadequate proof to supply a practical prospect of conviction for any offence,” it mentioned, including that it has knowledgeable the band concerning the determination.
Kneecap, which has repeatedly taken a pro-Palestine stance throughout their reveals and on-line, confirmed they had been knowledgeable concerning the determination through a consultant.
“Each single one that noticed our set knew no regulation was damaged, not even shut,” they mentioned in a publish on-line, saying the investigation amounted to “state intimidation”.
One component of the political policing intimidation try is over.
We performed a historic set at Glastonbury. Entire space closed an hour earlier than on account of crowds. A celebration of affection and solidarity. A sea of excellent folks on the world’s most well-known pageant.
Shortly afterwards we… pic.twitter.com/S0BsMeOM83
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) July 18, 2025
A member of the band had been charged with a “terrorism” offence for waving a flag of the Lebanese group Hezbollah at a live performance in London in November 2024.
The Belfast-based trio had additionally been linking the struggles of the Irish below British colonial rule to these of Palestinians residing below Israeli occupation and siege for many years, and has been identified for its political and satirical lyrics.
Avon and Somerset police mentioned of their assertion that an investigation is ongoing in relation to separate feedback made on stage by rap-punk duo Bob Vylan.
Bob Vylan has additionally been supporting Palestinians and used the UK’s largest summer time music pageant in late June to steer the crowds in chanting towards the Israeli army.
The duo chanted “demise” to the Israeli military and “free Palestine”, resulting in a felony investigation by British police.
After the efficiency, which pro-Israel voices branded as “anti-Semitic”, UK broadcaster BBC mentioned it might not live-broadcast musical performances deemed “excessive threat”.
The British authorities, a staunch supporter of Israel and a major arms provider to its Israeli army, additionally known as the chants “appalling hate speech”.
Authorities in the USA revoked the visas of the musicians, who rejected being towards any spiritual teams and mentioned they’re in favour of “dismantling a violent army machine” that has destroyed a lot of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army has killed a minimum of 58,667 Palestinians within the besieged enclave since October 2023, and wounded practically 140,000 others, in accordance with Gaza’s Ministry of Well being. About 20,000 youngsters are amongst these killed.
