It all started when the BBC cancelled its broadcast of the Irish pro-Palestinian band Kneecap during the Glastonbury music festival after the lead singer was charged with a terrorism offense for allegedly holding a banned Hezbollah flag — which he denies.

But when British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan were streamed live instead, the band led chants of "Free, free Palestine" and "Death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)" that were broadcast across the nation. A screen at the back of the stage displayed the message: "United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a 'conflict.'"

The backlash was rapid and unrelenting. The BBC apologized for airing chants it called "antisemitic"; the British police launched a criminal investigation into the incident, and Bob Vylan's agent, UTA, cut its ties with the act.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer chimed in, calling the chants "appalling hate speech" as the US State Department revoked visas for the band — which was due to tour North American in November. Bob Vylan "glorify violence and hatred" and "are not welcome visitors to our country," said US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in a statement on X.

It didn't stop there. After festivals in Manchester and France scratched Bob Vylan from their line-ups, the band was also dumped from playing concerts in Germany with the band Gogol Bordello in September.

The BBC also........

© Deutsche Welle