On July 1, the band Bob Vylan published a statement on Instagram on the current events. Just a few days earlier, her appearance at the Glastonbury Festival caused a sensation, especially because of statements that many criticized as anti -Semitic. The statement does not explicitly refer to the festival weekend, but the topic remains the same – the stance of the band to the Middle East conflict.
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Criticism of reactions and allegations
“Not the first. Not the last,” the statement begins. “Today many people want to tell you that a punk band is the greatest threat to world peace. Last week it was a pro-Palestinian group, the week before,” continued Bob Vylan.
The band has a decisive impact on the anti-Semitism allegations. “We do not stand for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other ethnic group or community. We stand for the abolition of a violent military machinery. A machine whose own soldiers have been instructed to use ‘unnecessary deadly violence’ against innocent civilians who were waiting for help. A machine that has destroyed large parts of Gazas.”
During their appearance, they had asked the audience to call slogans such as “Free, Free Palestine” and “Death to the IDF” – the latter referred to the Israeli forces who are active in the Gaza Strip.
Call to solidarity
Bob Vylan see her attitude specifically attacked: “We are attacked because we raise our voice. We are not the first. We will not be the last. And if life and freedom of speaking mean something, we ask you: also raise your voice. Free palestine.”
The band’s appearance ensured split reactions. The organizers: Inside the Glastonbury Festival, however, clearly and clearly distanced themselves from Bob Vylan’s statements. In a separate statement, it said: “Your slogans have crossed a border, and we are commemorating everyone who is involved in the production of the festival urgently that anti -Semitism, hate speeches or calls to violence in Glastonbury have no place.”