Bob Vylan has issued a statement following widespread official outrage over their comments at the Glastonbury festival, where they led the crowd in chanting "death to the IDF" and other pro-Palestinian slogans.
In a more measured yet very bold and clear response on social media, the punk duo explained that their position was not about the death of any group of people, but rather the dismantling of what they described as "a violent military machine."
"We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs, or any other race or group of people," Bob Vylan wrote, emphasizing that they oppose the actions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which they claim uses excessive force against innocent civilians. The band explained their use of the term "dismantling" rather than "death" when referring to the IDF, highlighting their focus on the military’s role in the ongoing destruction in Gaza.
The statement also addressed the controversy surrounding their performance, with Bob Vylan noting that the media’s attention on their actions is a distraction from the broader issues at hand. The group criticized the government’s silence on the matter, urging greater accountability for inaction regarding the situation in Gaza.
The band’s comments have sparked significant political repercussions, with the U.S. State Department revoking their visas ahead of their planned North American tour this fall. The U.K. has also launched a police investigation into the remarks made during the performance.
Bob Vylan reiterated their call for solidarity in speaking out against injustice, concluding their statement with "Free Palestine" and stressing their commitment to using their platform to raise awareness of the issue.
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