The U.S. State Department has revoked visas for members of the British rap-punk group Bob Vylan after their vile anti-Israel outburst at Glastonbury Festival, where they led the crowd in chanting for the death of Israeli soldiers.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced the decision on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The State Department 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.”
The London-based duo was scheduled to begin a U.S. tour this fall, but that’s now off the table after the State Department invoked its increasingly aggressive visa policy aimed at denying entry to foreign nationals who promote terrorism or spew antisemitic rhetoric.
BREAKING: The State Department has revoked the visas for British singer Bob Vylan and his band after Vylan led a "Death to the IDF" chant at a festival.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 30, 2025
Vylan was set to go on a US tour in late October, which won't be happening anymore.
"The State Department has revoked the US… pic.twitter.com/6CZt8EqE1P
The backlash stems from rapper Bobby Vylan’s unhinged rant on stage Saturday, where he chanted “Death to the IDF” (Israel Defense Forces) in front of a cheering crowd, just after shouting “Free, free Palestine.” Behind him, a screen projected propaganda that accused the United Nations of calling Israel’s counterterror operations a “genocide,” while mocking the BBC for using more neutral language.
The performance, broadcast live by the BBC, triggered immediate fury from American and British officials. In a rare act of accountability, the BBC later admitted they should’ve cut the broadcast. “With hindsight,” a spokesperson said, “we should have pulled it from the air. While we respect freedom of expression, we stand firmly against incitement to violence.”
Ironically, Bobby Vylan attempted to spin the incident as a lesson in courage, posting on Instagram, “I said what I said,” and claiming to have received “messages of both support and hatred.” He went on to preach about teaching children to “speak up for the change they want,” apparently believing that calling for the murder of soldiers is a form of activism.
The so-called artist’s history includes lyrical screeds against capitalism, police, and traditional family values, but his latest stunt crossed a red line, even for the radical left. Conservative lawmakers and pro-Israel groups swiftly applauded the visa revocation, calling it a long-overdue stand against imported hatred.
But this was far from the only Glastonbury act mired in controversy. Irish-language hip-hop group Kneecap also performed despite one of its members, Liam O’Hanna (stage name Mo Chara), being charged with a terrorism offense last month for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London show. Hezbollah is classified as a terrorist group under U.K. law.
Ahead of their performance, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was “not appropriate” for the group to be given a stage at Glastonbury. The band responded with more vulgarity. Rapper Móglaí Bap sneered at Starmer from the stage, telling the crowd, “The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer.”