A Jewish organisation in Canada is pushing for the government to deny Kneecap and Bob Vylan entry to the country.
- READ MORE: Bob Vylan: “We’ve been screaming about these topics at the top of our lungs for years. Why has it taken this long?”
In June, following their performances at Glastonbury 2025, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) asked the ministers of public safety and immigration to bar both groups from entering Canada, saying they have violated “Canadian hate speech laws” and contradicted “our core values.”
It comes after punk duo Bob Vylan played a headline-grabbing set on the West Holts Stage, in which they voiced their support for Palestine, criticised Israel and led the crowd in a chant of “Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]”.
Kneecap played a huge set on the same stage next. It took place days after member Mo Chara was given unconditional bail from his first court appearance on his terror charge, which stemmed from a Kneecap show last November, where he reportedly displayed a Hezbollah flag.
Since, there’s been a slew of media outrage, and Bob Vylan have had multiple shows cancelled, their agents reportedly cut ties with them, their US visas revoked, and they will no longer be supporting Gogol Bordello on a European tour.
Canadian Liberal MP Anthony Housefather has welcomed the U.S. visa decision and said that Canada should follow suit. He said he also raised the issue with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, per CTV News.
A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Lena Diab said the government cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy legislation.
In a statement, CIJA said it had not heard back from either Anandasangaree or Diab.
Kneecap are scheduled to play in Toronto and Vancouver in October.
Kneecap’s US visas are also thought to be no longer valid, after they were reportedly dropped by their former sponsor and booking agent Independent Artist Group (IAG) in April, after calling for a free Palestine during their Coachella performance.
Following the uproar surrounding their performance, Bob Vylan has since issued a statement clarifying that he is after the “dismantling of a violent military machine”, not calling for “the death of Jews or Arabs or any other race or group”.
The set is currently under investigation by Avon and Somerset Police, who are assessing whether any offences had been committed. Kneecap’s performance on the same stage that day was also under investigation, but police recently confirmed that they had dropped that inquiry.
Responding to the police investigation, Kneecap said: “This is political. This is targeted. This is state intimidation.” Shortly before their set on Worthy Farm, Kneecap defended their “satirical” live show: “It’s not our job to tell people what’s a joke and what’s not.”
Earlier this month, Bob Vylan played their first show since Glastonbury at London’s The 100 Club and at one point during the set, a group of fans attempted to revive the “death to the IDF” chant.
As shown in footage captured by The Standard, frontman Bobby Vylan immediately pointed at those chanting and said: “No no no no no, you’re gonna get me in trouble. Apparently, every other chant is fine, but you lot will get me in trouble.” He then led the crowd in a chant of “Free, free Palestine”.
Artists including Lambrini Girls, Amyl And The Sniffers and Soft Play, have publicly expressed support for Bob Vylan, and Massive Attack have also announced an alliance of musicians speaking out over Gaza against “intimidations from within” the music industry.
