The recent r/glastonbury_festival subreddit exploded with debate after London punk-rap duo Bob Vylan led a chant of “death to the IDF” during their 2025 Glastonbury set, sparking widespread outrage and police investigation.
The original poster called out what they see as a double standard: intense backlash over anti-IDF slogans contrasts with muted responses to other political chants at festivals and ignores UK government hypocrisy on social spending cuts and military support to Israel. They stressed the vital difference between opposing Israel’s military and antisemitism.
Key perspectives from the thread include:
-
Media Bias & Double Standards: Some commenters argued that harsh calls against Russia’s military or the monarchy attract less controversy, exposing inconsistencies in public and media reactions.
-
Religious vs Military Critique: Many emphasized that opposing the IDF’s actions is distinct from antisemitism, challenging the media’s habitual conflation of Israeli military and Jewish identity.
-
Legal Nuances: A few pointed out the UK’s designation of Hamas as a terrorist entity, but not the IDF, complicating the legal framing of such chants.
This festival debate reflects deeper tensions over free speech, political activism, and identity politics within the live music scene amid geopolitical strife.
Beyond online discussions, the controversy triggered real-world consequences:
-
The BBC apologized for broadcasting Bob Vylan’s performance, admitting it should have been pulled.
-
UK High Court affirmed the government’s legality in continuing F-35 jet parts sales that potentially benefit Israel’s military, despite other arms sales suspensions linked to Gaza.
Police in the UK have launched an investigation into the chanting incident amid a broader national conversation on the boundaries of political expression at cultural events.
Related Reads:
- Glastonbury’s long history mixing politics and music
- UK High Court upholds legal sale of F-35 parts potentially aiding Israel
- UK police open probe into anti-IDF chants at Glastonbury
This incident underlines the tricky terrain festival organizers, artists, and fans navigate in balancing artistic freedom with the real-world impact of politically charged statements.
Source: r/glastonbury_festival