Recommendations of the Editorial team
The British old rap duo Bob Vylan is the latest source of outrage and criticism of artists who comment on the war in Gaza. During her recent appearance at the Glastonbury Festival, Bobby Vylan called the crowd to the slogans “Free, Free Palestine” and “Death, Death to the IDF”. As a result, their US visa was revoked before their North America tour, and the festival organizers were publicly distancing themselves from the band. The British police have also started an investigation into their appearance. In her first statement on the counter reaction, Bob Vylan explained her statements and described the reactions to their appearance as “distraction from actual history”.
Bob Vylan takes a stand on the controversy
“We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other breed or group. We are for dismantling a violent military machine,” wrote the duo on Instagram. “A machine whose own soldiers have been instructed to use ‘unnecessary deadly violence’ against innocent civilians who were waiting for help. A machine that destroyed large parts of Gazas. We, like others who were in front of us, are not the story. We are a distraction from history. And what sanctions we may also receive will be a distraction.”
According to Gaza Ministry of Health, quoted by Associated Press, more than 55,000 people have been killed since October 2023 and 127,394. This number only partially reflects the extent of the destruction. An incredibly known number of corpses is not accessible to local medical services or buried after attacks. Last week, Israeli soldiers reported that their leadership gave them the command to shoot unarmed Palestinians to auxiliary distribution centers in Gaza, which indicates that the killings are the result of IDF guidelines that are specifically affected by civilians-contrary to international law.
This is the story that Bob Vylan would prefer to judge the spotlight. “The government does not want us to ask why it is silent in the face of this horror? Why is it no longer doing to stop killing? To take care of the hungry?” The duo wrote. “The more time you talk about Bob Vylan, the less time you spend to account for your criminal inactivity. We will be targeted because we open our mouths. We are not the first. And we won’t be the last.”
Further reactions to the statement
“Today, many people want to believe you that a punk band is the biggest threat to world peace. Last week it was a pro-Palestine group, before that,” they continued. “And if life and freedom of expression are sacred to you, then you also call up. Free Palestine.”
The statement refers to England’s plans to ban the Palestine Action organization – a group that, according to its own website, is committed to “termination of global participation in the genocides and apartheid -like regime of Israel”. On July 1, the Ministry of the Interior published a statement in which the organization was referred to as a “dangerous terrorist group”. If the ban is enforced, any participation in Palestine Action would be a criminal offense.
Bob Vylan’s statement also mentioned Kneecap, who were criticized for months because of her own statements to support Palestine and the demand for the end of the Israeli war in Gaza. “We believe that we are obliged to use our platform to raise the topic of Palestine, and it was important to comment at the coachella festival, since the USA is the main financier and arms supplier Israel, which is committed in Gaza,” said band member Mo Chara at the beginning of the year to Rolling Stone. “As I said from the stage: ‘The US government could end the genocide tomorrow.’ It is important that young Americans hear and know. “
Support from other artists
The rap trio from Belfast also appeared at the Glastonbury Festival at the weekend, although the British Prime Minister Keir Strander said that it was “not appropriate” that they appeared and refused to radiate their appearance. The trio thanked the festival organizers that they held on their appearance despite the pressure, and called together with the crowd: “Free, Free Palestine.”
Artists such as Soft Play, Lambrini Girls and Grandson have publicly expressed their support for Bob Vylan. The duo should accompany Grandson on its planned US tour in October and November. “Bob Vylan are the only feature on my album and this feature remains,” said Grandson on Instagram. “If you have the opportunity to get to the USA, you will take part in the Inertia tour as planned.”
“Censorship of art is a means of control. One blames artists and activists, not those who are responsible for the conditions. From the death spiral of the corporate profit and climate change to genocide in Palestinian life – the music and the artists are not the problem, we are the symptom of a sick world,” continued Grandson. “As a Jewish artist, I am deeply insulted by the equation of criticism of a military power that is known for indiscriminately violence. In the past two years, the Israeli government has contributed more to tightening anti -Semitism than all statements by artists who speak for Palestinian freedom and solidarity.”