Bob Vylan claim they’re being ‘targeted’ in new statement after Glastonbury IDF controversy

Punk band Bob Vylan has issued a new statement following the launch of a police investigation into their Glastonbury set.

Taking to social media, Bobby and Bobbie Vylan claimed that they are being ‘targeted for speaking up’ after their comments onstage at Worthy Farm were branded antisemitic.

Their full statement issued today said: ‘Today, a good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace. Last week it was a Palestine pressure group, the week before that it was another band.

‘We are not for the death of jews, arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine whose own soldiers were told to use “unnecessary lethal force” against innocent civilians waiting for aid.

‘A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza.

‘We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story. And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.

‘The government doesn’t want us to ask why they remain silent in the face of this atrocity? To ask why they aren’t doing more to stop the killing? To feed the starving?

‘The more time they talk about Bob Vylan, the less time they spend answering for their criminal inaction.

‘We are being targeted for speaking up. We are not the first. We will not be the last. And if you care for the sanctity of human life and freedom of speech, we urge you to speak up too.’

They concluded by declaring: ‘Free Palestine.’

While performing at Glasto this year, Bob Vylan led the crowd in chants of ‘Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)’, which was broadcast live by the BBC.

On Monday, Avon and Somerset Police said it had launched a probe into the performance after reviewing video footage and audio recordings, with a senior detective appointed to lead the investigation.

Also under investigation is the set from Irish rap trio Kneecap, who took to the stage directly after Bob Vylan and led chants of ‘Free Palestine’.

A police spokesman said: ‘This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage.

‘The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.’

Meanwhile, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has also announced that Bob Vylan’s US visas had been revoked due to ‘their hateful tirade at Glastonbury’.

They are due to head over to the States in autumn for a month-long tour, supporting Grandson, an American-Canadian singer whose real name is Jordan Edward Benjamin.

Taking to his TikTok page on Sunday, Grandson himself expressed solidarity with Bob Vylan, with whom he will release a song on his upcoming album.

‘I stand with Bob Vylan,’ he declared defiantly.

‘They will continue to be on my record, and, should their visa make it possible for them to come to America, I look forward to rocking stages across North America with my bros, Bob Vylan.’

Meanwhile, the BBC has expressed regret over not pulling Bob Vylan’s set from screens when it was streamed.

Following the performance, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticised the chants as ‘appalling hate speech’ and on Monday, broadcasting regulator Ofcom said it is ‘very concerned’ about the live stream.

Consequently, the corporation said: ‘Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC’s output, but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive. 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. We welcome Glastonbury’s condemnation of the performance.

‘The performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. The judgment on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines.

‘In addition, we took the decision not to make the performance available 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.’

Meanwhile, Ofcom has said that the BBC ‘clearly has questions to answer’ over the broadcast ‘as a matter of urgency’, while Glastonbury organisers have said they are ‘appalled by the statements’ made by the band.

Frontman Bobby Vylan’s real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports.

He has long been outspoken on social issues and politics, with his music often criticising the British establishment, inequality, racism, sexism, and homophobia.

In a previous statement posted to Instagram, he 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.’

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