The Mail on Sunday is facing major backlash after it falsely claimed that punk-rap duo Bob Vylan chanted “death to Israelis” during their Glastonbury set.
In reality, the band led chants of “death to the IDF” – referring to Israel’s military – while also shouting “free Palestine” and “from the river to the sea”.
Critics say outrage over Bob Vylan performance exposes “double standards” on Gaza
But that didn’t stop the paper’s front page from misleading readers with a now-debunked headline. Critics say it’s part of a growing attempt to criminalise pro-Palestinian solidarity in the UK.
📺 BBC, Glastonbury and Starmer pile on
The performance, which was streamed live on BBC iPlayer, was quickly pulled by the broadcaster. The BBC has since claimed Bob Vylan expressed “antisemitic sentiments” and is now under investigation by Ofcom.
Even Glastonbury Festival condemned the band, saying the chant “crossed a line”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined the pile-on, calling it “appalling hate speech”, while shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp claimed the artists should be arrested – and even urged police to investigate the BBC.
🧨 ‘Death to the IDF’ vs ‘death to Israelis’
While the media and politicians rushed to condemn the act, many pointed out that Bob Vylan’s chants targeted the military, not civilians.
One user said:
“Wishing death on a military institution is not the same as inciting genocide.”
Even some supporters of Israel acknowledged the Mail on Sunday’s reporting was inaccurate. But that didn’t stop the outrage machine from shifting into high gear.
💬 Bobby Vylan: “I said what I said”
In a defiant post on Instagram, Bobby Vylan said:
“Let us display to future generations the right thing to do when we want and need change.”
The artist called for action on the streets, online, and on every stage available.
Their agency, United Talent Agency, dropped them after the performance, although it gave no public reason.
🇮🇱 Israeli embassy wades in
The Israeli embassy in London also criticised the chant “from the river to the sea”, calling it “inflammatory and hateful”. But critics called this hypocritical.
Historian William Dalrymple noted that Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely herself uses the slogan – despite rejecting the idea of a Palestinian state.
🧱 Wes Streeting: “Get your own house in order”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the chant but turned fire on Israel, telling the embassy to sort out its own issues – pointing to settler violence in the West Bank.
“I wish they took the violence of their own citizens toward Palestinians more seriously,” he said.
🧨 Critics: Why more anger at music than mass death?
Labour MP Zarah Sultana asked:
“Why is our media and political class more outraged by musicians showing solidarity with Palestine than by a UK government directly complicit in genocide?”
Independent MP Adnan Hussain added:
“Personally, I find genocide way more offensive than how an artist chooses to express their anger.”
Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former comms chief, said far worse atrocities – including airstrikes on Palestinians waiting for aid – have been barely reported.
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