By Amira El-Fekki
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said “we have no response on the matter” when asked by Newsweek for reaction to British rapper Bobby Vylan’s chants of “Kill the IDF” at the Glastonbury music festival, even as the incident sparked backlash from Israeli officials and the public and prompted government action.The ContextThe U.S. State Department said it had revoked visas for rap-punk duo Bob Vylan over chants made during their televised performance at the Glastonbury Festival, which was broadcast by the BBC. Bobby Vylan led the crowd in chants of “Free Palestine,” followed by “Death to the IDF,” sparking criticism of the broadcaster as well.The controversy comes as the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas rages on. It erupted in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel and killed some 1,200 people and abducted another 251, Israeli officials say. Israel’s offensive in the devastated territory has killed over 55,000 people, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory.What To KnowThe UK police have launched a probe into Bob Vylan’s festival chants targeting the Israeli military, according to the Associated Press.Avon and Somerset Police initially said they would review video evidence to assess whether any offense occurred, but on Monday confirmed they had opened a criminal investigation, calling the incident a potential public order offense.Israeli officials condemned the incident. The Israeli embassy in the United Kingdom has said it’s “deeply disturbed” by the chants.Vylan, whose supporters have rallied online, has defied criticism.”I said what I said… Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place,” wrote Bobby Vylan in a statement on Instagram addressing the controversy.What People Are SayingIsrael’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel wrote on X: “No one at the BBC has taken any responsibility for live broadcasting, racist, antisemitic hate-speech, calling for the death of Israelis on British TV. This is completely unacceptable.Avon and Somerset Police in statement on X: “There is absolutely no place in society for hate.”U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told the press: “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. “The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.”British-American journalist Mehdi Hassan wrote on X: “You can agree or disagree with, love or hate, @BobbyVylan’s remarks about ‘Death to the IDF’ but how on earth are they antisemitic? Not only is it antisemitic for the BBC to conflate all Jews with a foreign state’s military, as they do here, surely they have libeled @BobbyVylan?”What Happens NextAn investigation will examine the incident for potential hate crime offenses, the police said.