US Revokes Bob Vylan’s Visas Over Glastonbury Festival Chant

After leading pro-Palestinian chants at the well-known Glastonbury Festival, an English rap duo was prohibited from performing in the United States.

In 2022, the British rap duo Bob Vylan performed in Germany.

On Monday, June 30, the State Department announced that Bob Vylan’s visas had been canceled. In a social media post, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed the revocations.

During the Saturday, June 28 performance, the group’s main singer, Pascal Robinson-Foster, led cries such as “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces]”.

“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,” Landau said on Twitter. “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”

The phrase “from the river to the sea,” which refers to the region between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, was also heard said by Vylan. While many Israeli supporters view the slogan as offensive, pro-Palestine activists argue it is a proud appeal for regional peace.

In the fall, Bob Vylan is expected to embark on a US tour. Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC are among the places where the “grandson North America Tour” will perform in November.

Usually the biggest summer music festival in the UK, the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts takes place in Somerset, England, on the South Coast. Headlining performers at the 2025 festival were Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, Neil Young, and The 1975.

A “criminal investigation” has been opened by Somerset police against Northern Irish rap group Kneecap and Bob Vylan, who have both publicly denounced Israel’s atrocities in Gaza.

According to a statement from Somerset police, “this has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our investigations are at an early stage.” “The inquiry will be evidence-based and will carefully examine all relevant laws, particularly those pertaining to hate crimes. People from all around the world have contacted us about these occurrences, and we are aware of how strongly the public feels.”

In a social media post On June 29, Sunday, Bob Vylan persisted in calling for “a change in foreign policy.”

“Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place,” Bob Vylan wrote on Facebook. “It is crucial that we inspire and motivate future generations to carry on the torch that was entrusted to us as we age and our fire may begin to fade due to the pressures of adulthood and all of its obligations.

“When we need and want change, let’s show them clearly and loudly what is right. Let them witness our street protests, grassroots campaigns, online organizing, and yelling about it on every platform available to us.”

Kneecap, whose pro-Palestine speech has led to accusations of “terrorism” in the UK, is apparently planning a fall tour of the United States.