Irish Rap Group Kneecap Incites Controversy With Anti-Netanyahu Chants

Irish rap group Kneecap, known for its anti-Israel political stances, sparked controversy during a performance at the Reading Festival in England. The band directed antisemitic chants at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for "Free Palestine" and "Fuck Benjamin Netanyahu." A Palestinian flag was displayed on the DJ booth during their set, and the group incorporated political messages, which were met with cheers from the audience.

During the performance, band members stated, "It's important for us to use this platform for things we believe are right, and there are people who are not having a good time right now, and that's our brothers and sisters in Palestine. As Irish people, we understand displacement, colonialism, and the forced starvation of a population." The group also reportedly criticized British politician Andy Burnham, encouraging the crowd to use a derogatory nickname for him.

Kneecap's controversial views are not new. In 2024, one member was accused of displaying a flag supporting the Hezbollah terrorist organization during a performance in North London. The case against him was dismissed last September after the chief magistrate ruled the proceedings were "improperly commenced." A subsequent appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service was rejected by two High Court judges in March of this year.