Glastonbury's Controversial Chants Spark Debate

A recent performance at the Glastonbury Festival has sparked a heated debate. The BBC faced backlash for broadcasting a livestream of rap duo Bob Vylan's set. During their performance, the crowd chanted "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF, " which the BBC later called "antisemitic. " The BBC admitted they should have stopped the livestream. They said they respect free speech but not calls for violence. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the chants, calling them "appalling hate speech. " The broadcasting regulator, Ofcom, said the BBC needs to explain why they aired it. Bob Vylan's music often tackles social issues like racism and politics. The duo keeps their real names private. After the performance, Bobby Vylan received messages of both support and hate. He posted that teaching kids to speak up is key to a better world. Police are reviewing video evidence to see if any laws were broken. Another band, Kneecap, also led chants of "Free Palestine. " One of their members was previously charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly supporting a banned group. The Israel-Gaza war has caused global tension. Over 56, 000 people have died in Gaza since October 2023. Israel says it only targets militants, but critics argue civilian deaths are too high. The war has led to protests worldwide, with accusations of antisemitism on both sides. Glastonbury Festival featured 4, 000 acts this year. The event drew around 200, 000 music fans. The festival has a history of political statements, but this year's chants have caused more controversy than usual.