Bob Vylan's Stance on Festival Israel Defense Forces Protest: "Zero Remorse"

The frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Official Responses

This vocal music pair sparked widespread controversy when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June performance. The chant was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency UTA, and the American state department revoked the members' visas, forcing the duo to cancel a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his initial public discussion since the festival performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the band faced was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist said he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and asserted that staff of BBC employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU later determined that the network's broadcast of the show violated content guidelines in regard to harm and hurt.

He told the host there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

Albarn's reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the views of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

After questioned what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the situation that exist to allow that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Bands

As he mentioned he felt the band had been criticised more severely than different artists for speaking about the conflict, the host brought up the Irish group Kneecap, who have likewise encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he said, "because as with all things ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."

Dawn Stanley
Dawn Stanley

A passionate tech writer and gaming expert, Elara shares in-depth reviews and guides to help readers navigate the digital world.