Bob Vylan Stance on Festival Israel Defense Forces Chant: "Zero Remorse"

The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Responses

The outspoken music pair ignited widespread debate when they led crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. The slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its representation UTA, and the US government cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a scheduled North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the people that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist said he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the chant, and stated that staff of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's ECU later determined that the network's airing of the performance violated content guidelines in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Even crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

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

His comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. In which the local people are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported two days.

"I believe I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of individuals going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Bands

When Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than different artists for speaking about the situation, the host brought up the Irish band another band, who have also encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

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