During the BBC’s live broadcast of Glastonbury Festival, singer Bob Vylan led the crowd in chanting “Death to the IDF” (Israel Defense Forces). The BBC aired the chant for nearly 40 minutes before interrupting. Following strong criticism from the festival organizers, political leaders, and Jewish advocacy groups, the BBC removed the footage and issued an on-screen warning.
Festival organizers condemned the chant, saying it clearly violated Glastonbury’s core values of peace and inclusion. They described the moment as “harrowing” and declared it inconsistent with the spirit of the event. Critics argue the BBC breached trust by allowing the chant to go on air without immediate response or context. In reaction, the BBC paused further coverage of the act for the remainder of the broadcast.
Calls for Accountability and Tighter Controls
The fallout has triggered calls for stricter regulation during live broadcasts. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called on the BBC’s director general to explain why the controversial chant was aired unedited. The Israeli embassy called the chant “hateful and extremist,” warning that giving it public airtime could fuel antisemitic attitudes.
Glastonbury officials said the BBC’s editorial guidelines on hate speech were not followed. Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they will review the footage to determine if legal action is necessary. The review comes after another Glastonbury incident — the rapper group Kneecap faced criticism earlier for alleged extremist slogans and was temporarily shut down by the festival.
As one of the UK’s most-watched cultural events, Glastonbury regularly reaches millions of viewers. This incident has prompted urgent discussions on how broadcasters and event organizers can better prevent and respond to live incidents involving hate speech.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): bbc.com
