The fallout from Glastonbury 2025 is still sending shockwaves—and this time, it’s the BBC scrambling for cover.
After punk-rap duo Bob Vylan lit up the stage with a fiery, pro-Palestinian chant, the British broadcaster has drawn a hard line: no more livestreams of so-called “high-risk” acts. It’s a move that’s raising eyebrows, stirring debate, and fueling the already volatile conversation around free speech, censorship, and the war in Gaza.
During their now-infamous set, Bob Vylan’s lead vocalist led the crowd in chanting “Death to the IDF” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it will be free.” The crowd roared back, waving Palestinian flags and raising fists. But as the clip made its rounds online, what felt like defiance to some felt like danger to others.
The BBC, in full damage-control mode, issued a formal apology:
“We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers, listeners, and in particular the Jewish community.”
That wasn’t all. The broadcaster admitted Bob Vylan was already flagged as a “high-risk” act before the show—even among six other artists with similar concerns. Despite this, they were still allowed to perform, with what the BBC called “appropriate mitigations.” Clearly, that wasn’t enough. The band’s entire performance has now been scrubbed from BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, and the corporation says it will tighten compliance, send editorial watchdogs to live events, and review the livestream policy entirely.
The fallout doesn’t end with the BBC.
The Avon and Somerset Police have launched a criminal investigation into whether the onstage chants qualify as hate speech or public disorder. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly condemned the broadcast, while Ofcom, the UK’s media watchdog, is demanding answers from the BBC.
Across the Atlantic, things got even worse for Bob Vylan. The U.S. government revoked the duo’s visas, citing national security concerns. Their American tour? Cancelled. Their agency, United Talent, dropped them like a hot coal.
The Israeli Embassy in London didn’t hold back either, calling the chants “advocacy of ethnic cleansing” and expressing deep concern over the performance being aired publicly.
This firestorm comes against a broader, blood-soaked backdrop. Since the Israeli military campaign in Gaza escalated in 2023, over 56,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed. The war was triggered by the brutal October 7 Hamas attacks, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 200 taken hostage. The ripples of that violence are being felt worldwide—with massive pro-Palestinian protests, increasing anti-Semitic incidents, and governments everywhere trying to navigate an increasingly combustible political climate.
So now the question lingers: is this about public safety, or silencing dissent? Is the BBC setting a new standard—or just bowing to pressure?
Whichever side you land on, one thing’s clear: the stage isn’t just for music anymore. It’s a battleground.
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