Irish band Kneecap displayed anti-Israel slogans in front of thousands including “F**k Israel, Free Palestine” and “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.”
By Rachel Avraham
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap sparked controversy at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival after projecting anti-Israel messages during their performance before a crowd of thousands, Yedioth Achronot reported. According to the report, the trio, known for its politically charged performances in favor of the IRA and Palestinians, displayed slogans on stage including “F**k Israel, Free Palestine” and “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.”
The Jerusalem Post noted that a follow-up caption read: “Enabled by the U.S. government, which arms and funds Israel despite their war crimes.” The subtitles also called for “the liberation of Palestine.” The band has supported the BDS Movement since 2020.
Addressing the audience, lead vocalist Mo Chara drew a comparison between Irish and Palestinian experiences, saying according to Yedioth Achronot: “Not long ago, the Irish were persecuted by the British, but we were never bombed from the f-ing sky with nowhere to go. Palestinians have nowhere to go. This is their f-ing home, and they’re being bombed from the sky.”
In addition, the band members posted a photo on social media from the festival, standing alongside Mia Khalifa, a Lebanese adult film star wearing a keffiyeh and holding Irish flags. Although Mia Khalifa has faced harsh treatment in Lebanon and been disowned by her family due to her decision to star in a porn film wearing a hijab, and has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of sex workers, she is also known for her anti-Israel views. She has been highly critical of US military aid to Israel and referred to Israel as “an apartheid state.”
During the October 7th massacre, Khalifa tweeted, “”If you can look at the situation in Palestine and not be on the side of Palestinians, then you are on the wrong side of apartheid and history will show that in time.” In another tweet, she wrote “Can someone please tell the freedom fighters in Palestine to flip their phones and film horizontal.” Following these tweets, Playboy ended their podcasting deal with her, calling her comments “disgusting and reprehensible.”
The band’s performance sparked outrage on social media due to the use of a music festival platform to promote one-sided propaganda, Israel Hayom reported. “Using a music festival to celebrate the terrorists who massacred thousands at a music festival. I wish you could make this shit up,” a user wrote on X, while another one added, “Hypocrisy at its peak: Coachella’s ‘Free Palestine’ chants from scantily clad, drug-fueled LGBTQ youth, flaunting freedoms they’d be brutally executed for in Palestine. Virtue signaling at its most shameless.” Some users photoshopped one of the anti-Israel messages from the beginning of the show into “F*** Hamas, Free Hostages.”
KNEECAP is known as a band that regularly expresses its political views, Israel Hayom reported. According to the report, they are recognized for their anti-British sentiments and advocacy for complete Irish independence. In the past, they have repeatedly expressed their disdain for Israel. According to Israel Hayom, on the day of Hezbollah terror leader Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral, one of the band members was photographed reading a book compiling “Nasrallah’s sayings.” Additionally, at previous performances, they have raised Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) flags and vilified Israel, Israel Hayom noted.
Photo from Stream Talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rJSohK4sSk
