At the heart of this year’s Glastonbury Festival, punk-rap duo Bob Vylan made headlines with a chant that sent shockwaves far beyond the music world: “Death to the IDF”. Their controversial performance, broadcast live before being pulled by the BBC, ignited fierce debate over freedom of expression, hate speech, and the role of public protest.
Douglas McConnell dives into the legal and cultural implications—particularly how Scotland's newly enforced hate crime laws intersect with high-profile performances. Unlike individual comments on social media, this was a live public act with a massive audience, raising the stakes and scrutiny.
The incident has become a lightning rod for questions surrounding artistic responsibility, political protest, and the limits of legal speech. Was this an act of rebellion or a breach of law? The conversation is just beginning.