A British punk-rap duo’s U.S. tour may be over before it begins. Their visas were revoked after a shocking anti-Israel chant led by the frontman during a major music festival in the UK.
Key Facts:
- Bob Vylan’s lead singer led chants of “Death to the IDF” at Glastonbury Festival in England.
- The crowd repeated the chant and waved Palestinian flags during the performance.
- The U.S. State Department revoked the band’s visas following the performance.
- Organizers of Glastonbury and the BBC condemned the remarks as incitement to violence.
- Sen. Marco Rubio and the State Department have taken a firm stance on banning violent rhetoric by foreign nationals.
The Rest of The Story:
Bob Vylan, a UK punk-rap group, ignited global backlash after their lead singer, Bobby Vylan (real name Pascal Robinson-Foster), shouted “Death to the IDF” at the Glastonbury Festival.
The crowd joined in, chanting the phrase while waving Palestinian flags. Vylan also invoked the controversial slogan, “From the river to the sea, Palestine must be free.”
🚨 BREAKING: Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks to REVOKE the visa of pro-Palestine British rap duo Bobby Vylan, who called for the d*ath of Israeli soldiers, per Daily Wire
“The U.S. government will not issue visas to any foreigner who supports terrorists."
He yelled:… pic.twitter.com/ucamt7SVpU
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 29, 2025
The response from event organizers and media was swift.
Glastonbury’s Emily Eavis denounced the chant as crossing a line into hate speech.
The BBC, which aired the performance, apologized for not cutting the broadcast.
“The anti-Semitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves,” the network said.
The U.S. State Department responded by revoking the band’s visas.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau declared on X, “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”
The @StateDept 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. Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.
— Christopher Landau (@DeputySecState) June 30, 2025
Despite the fallout, Bobby Vylan remained defiant on Instagram, encouraging activism and mocking critics, stating, “I said what I said.”
The band’s North American tour, scheduled to begin in October, now appears uncertain.
Commentary:
The United States has the right to deny entry to individuals who promote violence.
Chanting “Death to the IDF” is not a policy debate—it’s an endorsement of bloodshed against Jewish soldiers and, by extension, Jewish people.
Antisemitism is rising in the U.S. and abroad.
Bringing in performers who incite hatred only adds fuel to a dangerous fire.
We should not roll out the welcome mat to anyone who would use our stages to spread messages that target and endanger communities.
There’s a clear line between free speech and promoting violence.
Americans can debate Israeli policy and criticize foreign governments.
But leading thousands in chanting death to a nation’s soldiers crosses into incitement.
Senator Marco Rubio’s approach to denying visas to activists who abuse their welcome is not only lawful but wise.
He made it clear that visas aren’t a blank check for foreign nationals to cause chaos or inflame domestic tensions.
This isn’t censorship.
It’s sovereignty.
The U.S. has no obligation to admit those who use that privilege to sow discord or cheer for terror.
Bobby Vylan’s mocking attitude after the incident—sneering at backlash and boasting about eating ice cream—only confirms that his words weren’t a momentary lapse.
They reflect a deeper hostility that has no place in civil society.
Letting him perform in America under the guise of free expression would be an insult to Jewish Americans already facing threats.
It sends the wrong message to citizens and foreign agitators alike.
Standing firm on this visa revocation affirms America’s values: freedom, yes—but not freedom for imported hate.
The Bottom Line:
The U.S. State Department revoked Bob Vylan’s visas after their anti-Israel chant incited backlash at Glastonbury Festival.
The decision is in line with efforts to block foreign nationals who promote violence and antisemitism.
With antisemitic incidents already climbing, protecting public order and safety must come before granting tour visas.
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