LONDON (Reuters) -British police on Monday launched a criminal investigation into musician Bob Vylan and Irish rap band Kneecap’s performances at Glastonbury music festival after they led derogatory chanting about the Israeli military and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The police are investigating both groups over public order offences after reviewing video footage and audio from the performances on Saturday, the police statement said.
Vylan’s set included on-stage chants of “death, death to the IDF”, a reference to the Israel Defense Forces fighting a war in Gaza, while Kneecap led chants against British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and condemned Israel in front of a huge crowd.
National broadcaster BBC’s decision to keep Vylan’s set streaming live has been condemned by Starmer, in addition to drawing scrutiny from media regulator Ofcom.
“We have received a large amount of contact in relation to these events from people across the world and recognise the strength of public feeling. There is absolutely no place in society for hate,” the police said.
The police said their investigation will consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.
(Reporting by Muvija M, Editing by Andrew MacAskill)
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