Kneecap Faces Controversy Following Anti-Israel Statement at Coachella Performance

Kneecap have come under fire after displaying a series of anti-Israel messages at Coachella (Pictures: realtombibiyan/ X)
Kneecap have been criticized after showing anti-Israel sentiments during their latest Coachella performance. The Belfast rap group – consisting of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí – is known for their Irish republican-themed songs, including Get Your Brits Out. They have also been vocal supporters of Palestine, often performing with Palestinian flags on stage and leading ‘Free, Free Palestine’ chants. However, their recent show of support has attracted considerable backlash. After leading an anti-Margaret Thatcher chant during their slot last weekend, Kneecap returned to the festival and performed at the Sonora tent over the weekend. During their performance, they displayed projections on a screen behind them that had apparently also been used during their earlier slot, which resulted in the livestream of their set being cut off.

The band have expressed vocal support for Palestine (Picture: Getty)

The series of projections were critical of Israel (Picture: Kneecap/ X)

They also directed criticism at the United States (Picture: Kneecap/ X)
‘Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,’ the projections stated. ‘It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F*** Israel; free Palestine.’ Images were later shared on social media by the group, who commented: ‘Some uncensored messaging to Coachella.’

However, shortly after, the rap group faced significant backlash from many.
‘Why are you providing a platform to incite hatred and spread false information that encourages hatred against an entire population? Is this a music festival or a racism festival?’ commented user talester on Instagram. ‘How did the production of this place allow political opinions to be brought onto the stage in such a blatant and false way?! Without a doubt, the world has gone crazy, and humanity has disappeared,’ shared user Chen.

The band claimed that the projections were cut off during their first weekend performance (Picture: Kneecap/ X)
‘You should not allow bands that incite hatred and isolate one group of people. Blatant antisemitism. Do better,’ added Sam. Meanwhile, many others flooded their recent posts with images of the flag of Israel. During their set, Mo Chara delivered a brief speech to the crowd: ‘The Irish not so long ago were persecuted at the hands of the Brits, but we were never bombed from the f***ing skies with nowhere to go. ‘The Palestinians have nowhere to go; it’s their f***ing home, and they’re bombing them from the skies. ‘If you’re not calling it a genocide, what the f*** are you calling it?’ The band then led a ‘Free, Free Palestine’ chant.

They have regularly criticized Israel (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
After last weekend’s set, the band wrote on X: ‘Not the only thing that was cut – our messaging on the US-backed genocide in Gaza somehow never appeared on screens either. Back next Friday Coachella, and it’ll be sorted. Grma to everyone who packed out the tent.’

Kneecap have previously helped raise nearly £100,000 for a volunteer gym in the Aida Refugee Camp in Palestine. They also recently condemned Israel for breaking the Gaza ceasefire in a ‘slaughter’ against the ‘most vulnerable people on earth.’ After forming in 2017, Kneecap gained recognition in the following year with their debut single C.E.A.R.T.A, which translates to ‘rights’ in Irish.
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