Bob Vylan's Stance on Festival IDF Protest: "No Regrets"

The frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

This vocal punk duo sparked significant controversy when they initiated crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer performance. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department revoked the members' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his first interview since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

On the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the slogan," he continued. "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, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some conservative official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This artist said he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's ECU later determined that the BBC's airing of the show breached content standards in relation to harm and offence.

He informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who called the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' 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 disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Chant

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

"What is important is the conditions that persist to permit that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. Where the local population are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I believe I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Bands

As Vylan said he thought the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for speaking about the conflict, the host brought up the Irish band Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "because as with all things race becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."