Bob Vylan Position on Glastonbury IDF Protest: "Zero Regrets"

The lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

This outspoken punk duo sparked widespread debate when they initiated crowd calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. The slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the members' visas, forcing the duo to call off a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial interview after the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some conservative official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently determined that the network's airing of the performance breached content guidelines in relation to harm and hurt.

He told the host there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

His comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

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

"I strongly object with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

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

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. In which the local population are being killed at an disturbing 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 perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

When he mentioned he thought the band had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have likewise faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "since as with everything ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."