Northern Irish hip-hop group Kneecap faced backlash for their pro-Palestinian messaging during their Coachella performance, which included a screen displaying “F— Israel, Free Palestine.” Following the festival, they claimed the livestream of their set was censored, despite images of their onstage message circulating widely online. The group characterized the criticism as a “coordinated smear campaign,” asserting that opponents aimed to silence their critique of what they termed “mass slaughter” in Gaza.
The controversy heightened after their message drew sharp condemnation from Tribe of Nova, the organizers of Israel’s Nova Music Festival, where a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in over 1,200 deaths. They stated that Kneecap’s performance “deeply hurt” their community and invited the group to witness the impact of the tragedy firsthand.
In response, Kneecap emphasized their stance against the actions of governments enabling genocides, asserting that they stand with the many Jewish individuals opposed to the violence in Gaza. They rejected accusations of antisemitism, highlighting that their motives are rooted in humanitarian concerns, not religious ones.
Critics, including TV personality Sharon Osbourne, labeled the group’s statements as hate speech, suggesting the U.S. should revoke their work visas. Osbourne argued that while artists have the right to express their views, incorporating aggressive political statements in performances was inappropriate. During their second Coachella set, band member Mo Chara drew parallels between the Palestinian situation and historical Irish persecution, reinforcing their messaging.
Amid ongoing conflict, Kneecap’s actions and statements continue to spark debate about artistic expression and political dissent in music. The organizers of Coachella, Goldenvoice, have yet to comment on the matter.
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