Is the United Kingdom Lost
Segment #530
The leading contender for mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani refuses to condemn the Holocaust. New York City has the largest population of Jews in the country. Europe and the UK have seen a rise in antisemitism for well over a decade. Unless we take a stand, it seems with recent events on university campuses the US will become part of the trend.
Bob Vylan have US visas revoked over 'hateful tirade at Glastonbury'
US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau says "foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country", after the band led chants of "death to the IDF" at the music festival.
Monday 30 June 2025 16:49, UK
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3:01
BBC issues statement on Glastonbury
Bob Vylan have had their US visas revoked over their "hateful tirade at Glastonbury", a Trump official has said.
It comes after the band were dropped by their talent agency following their anti-IDF chant at the music festival.
Read the latest on this story as a criminal investigation is launched
The BBC has said it regrets not pulling the live stream of the "unacceptable" Glastonbury set, with Ofcom saying the broadcaster had "questions to answer".
The corporation has faced mounting criticism over airing the performance on Glastonbury's West Holts Stage, during which the rap-punk duo's frontman Bobby Vylan led chants of, "free, free Palestine", and "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]".
US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau confirmed the US visas of Bob Vylan had been revoked ahead of a planned tour later this year.
"The (state department) has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants," he posted on X.
"Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country."
Image: Bob Vylan frontman Bobby Vylan on stage at Glastonbury. Pic: PA
Sir Keir Starmer condemned the band's remarks as "appalling hate speech", while festival organiser Emily Eavis said they "crossed a line" - and media watchdog Ofcom has now also released a statement raising concerns.
On Monday morning, a spokesperson for the prime minister did not directly answer when asked if he still had confidence in BBC director-general Tim Davie.
Sky News understands the band have since been dropped by representatives United Talent Agency.
During Bob Vylan's set on Saturday, they performed in front of a screen that showed several messages, including one that said Israel's actions in Gaza amount to "genocide".
Footage from the performance shows some of the crowd joining in with the chants.
Amid criticism afterwards, the BBC said there had been a warning on screen about potential "strong and discriminatory language", but described the comments as "deeply offensive".
On Monday, a spokesperson released an updated statement, saying the comments were antisemitic and the performance should have been taken off air.
"The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence," the statement said. "The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. We welcome Glastonbury's condemnation of the performance."
Image: Pic: PA
A judgement to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with editorial guidelines, the spokesperson added, and the performance has not been made available to view on demand.
"The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.
"In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air."
Ofcom's reaction
An Ofcom spokesperson said: "We are very concerned about the live stream of this performance, and the BBC clearly has questions to answer.
"We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines."
In a statement shared on Instagram on Sunday, Bobby Vylan 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.
"As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us."
The latest developments follows severe condemnation from the prime minister, who said there was "no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech".
Image: Mo Chara of Kneecap at Glastonbury. Pic: Reuters
Sir Keir also referenced a previous statement that Belfast rap group Kneecap, who were on stage after Bob Vylan, should have been removed from the line-up after one member was charged with a terrorism offence.
"I said that Kneecap should not be given a platform and that goes for any other performers making threats or inciting violence," he said.
Ms Eavis, whose father Michael co-founded the festival, said in a statement that Bob Vylan had "very much crossed a line".
She added: "Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence."