UK Police Close Investigation into Bob Vylan’s Israeli Military Chants | Music News
British police have concluded their investigation into the punk-rap duo Bob Vylan’s controversial comments made during the Glastonbury festival in June. Avon and Somerset Police announced that they will not pursue charges due to insufficient evidence.
Details of the Investigation
The investigation centered on chants led by Bob Vylan’s lead singer, Pascal Robinson-Foster, who is known as Bobby Vylan. During their performance, he directed chants of “death, death” at the Israeli military in response to its actions in Gaza.
- Date of Performance: June 28, 2025
- Investigation Outcome: No charges filed due to lack of evidence
- Public Response: The chants sparked considerable backlash, leading the BBC to apologize for airing the performance.
Impact of the Investigation
The police stated they had conducted a thorough investigation, engaging with approximately 200 members of the public and interviewing a man in his mid-30s. Their decision took into account the context of the remarks and the principle of freedom of expression.
According to the statement, the police said, “We believe it is right this matter was comprehensively investigated… the comments made on Saturday 28 June drew widespread anger, proving that words have real-world consequences.”
Consequences for Bob Vylan
Following the fallout from their performance, the United States revoked Bob Vylan’s visas, which led to the cancellation of their planned tour in October. Additionally, the duo is seeking legal action against Irish broadcaster RTE for alleging they performed anti-Semitic chants at Glastonbury.
Similar Incidents
The investigation into Bob Vylan follows a similar case where British police also cleared the Irish rap group Kneecap of any wrongdoing for their “Free Palestine” chants during a performance. That probe was also dropped due to insufficient evidence.
As discussions around artistic expression and political messaging continue, the Bob Vylan case highlights the complexities surrounding freedom of speech in music and the potential repercussions artists may face.
