By Molly Grace
The BBC is facing harsh criticism after airing a live performance by the rap-punk duo Bob Vylan at this year鈥檚 Glastonbury Festival. During their set, lead singer Bobby Vylan led the crowd in chants that included the phrase 鈥淒eath, death to the IDF鈥 and made some harsh comments about working for a certain group of people using, what some believed to be very harsh language, others agreed. These remarks quickly sparked outrage, with many people calling them antisemitic and saying they incited violence.
The BBC admitted that they should have cut the live broadcast when these comments were made and apologised for letting them air. They also reassured they will be reviewing their policies on live coverage to make sure something like this doesn鈥檛 happen again.
Authorities have stepped in, with the Avon and Somerset Police treating the incident as a public order matter and looking into possible hate crime charges. The Israeli Embassy in London also spoke out, expressing concern about the provocative language used during the performance.
The fallout hasn鈥檛 stopped there. Bob Vylan鈥檚 planned US tour is now looks cancelled after their visas were revoked, and their talent agency has also dropped them. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, have also weighed in, demanding answers from the BBC about how the situation was handled. This incident has sparked a wider debate about how live events are broadcast and the balance between free speech and responsibility on big stages like Glastonbury.