Bob Vylan's Position on Festival Israel Defense Forces Protest: "Zero Regrets"

The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

This outspoken music duo sparked widespread debate when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. This slogan was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency UTA, and the US government revoked the members' travel documents, compelling the duo to cancel a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his initial interview since the festival performance, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the band faced was "small compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing official or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Comments

The musician said he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU later determined that the BBC's broadcast of the show violated editorial standards in regard to offense and hurt.

He informed the host there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the views of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

When asked what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

Vylan also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set led to a spike in antisemitic incidents reported later.

"I believe I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

As Vylan said he felt the duo had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host brought up the Irish group another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "because as with all things ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the opponent."