Hungarian authorities have banned the Irish rap group Kneecap from entering the country, accusing them of engaging in « antisemitic hate speech » and « supporting terrorism ».
Kneecap were set to perform at the Sziget Festival, taking place from 6 to 11 August in Budapest.
The Belfast-based band, which often shares pro-Palestinian messages during its shows, has attracted controversy in recent months after accusing the Israeli government of committing « genocide » in Gaza.
Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said on Thursday that the band’s members « repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups ».
« Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form, » Kovacs said in a post on X, adding that the band’s planned performance « posed a national security threat, » and the band has therefore been formally banned from entering Hungary for three years.
« If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms, » Kovacs added.
Kneecap performing during the Glastonbury Festival in June. Pic: Reuters
Responding to the spokesman’s comments, Kneecap said « there is no legal basis » for Hungary’s decision and that « no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country ».
« It is clear that this is a political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people, » the band said in a statement on X.
During Kneecap’s gig at Britain’s Glastonbury Festival in June, frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, performing under the stage name Mo Chara, accused Israel of war crimes in Gaza.
Ahead of the gig, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he doesn’t think Kneecap’s planned performance was « appropriate ».
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury. Pic: Reuters
Following Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury, a criminal investigation was launched into comments made on stage by the trio. However, police ultimately decided not to pursue further action, citing « insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence ».
Kneecap called the investigation « political policing intimidation ».
Mo Chara has been formally charged with a terrorism offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of the militant group Hezbollah during a gig in November. He denies the offence.
Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK and the US.
