US revokes visas of British rap duo Bob Vylan for 'death to IDF' chant at Glastonbury

The Trump administration has revoked the visas of British rap duo Bob Vylan after they led a chant at Glastonbury music festival calling for death to the Israeli military. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was among those condemning the performance, in which the vocalist Bobby Vylan encouraged the crowd to chant 'death, death to the IDF', referring to the Israeli Defense Force, at the weekend.

US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau said that the United States had 'revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants.' 'Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,' he posted on X.

The band, which has previously played at Coachella, had dates scheduled for later this year in the United States. The announcement came on Monday, the same day Avon and Somerset Police announced it would be launching a criminal investigation into both Bob Vylan's performance and a separate performance at the festival, by the Irish rap band Kneecap.

The Glastonbury performance of Irish-language rap group Kneecap will also be part of a UK police investigation. During Kneecap's performance, one of the singers encouraged fans to 'start a riot' outside his bandmate's upcoming court appearance. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, had separately been charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London.

In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said they were investigating both groups over public order incidents after reviewing 'video and audio' of the performance. 'Following the completion of that assessment process we have decided further enquiries are required and a criminal investigation is now being undertaken,' the service said.

The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes. It added that the service had recognised the 'strength of public feeling', adding: 'There is absolutely no place in society for hate.'

The BBC, which airs the festival each year, has come under scrutiny. It agreed not to livestream Kneecap's performance, amid concerns over Mr Ó hAnnaidh's live terror charge, the broadcaster failed to cut Bob Vylan's set when the 'death to the IDF' began. Mr Starmer condemned Bob Vylan's 'appalling hate speech' and said the BBC must explain how those comments made it on to air.

In a statement on Monday, the broadcaster apologised and said the stream contained 'antisemitic sentiments' that were 'utterly unacceptable'. 'The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance,' the BBC said in a statement. 'We regret this did not happen.'

The UK's media regulator, Ofcom, said the BBC had 'questions to answer' following the incident.

Glastonbury Festival is one of the biggest music festivals in Europe.