ABUJA, Nigeria – Taoiseach Micheál Martin don call make the Irish rap group Kneecap quickly clarify their stance on support for Hamas and Hezbollah after shocking clips from their concerts surface, where comments suggesting violence against Conservative MPs were made.
This call comes after a video from Kneecap’s 2023 concert circulated online, showing one member declaring, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” The clips raised serious concerns as both Hamas and Hezbollah are classified as terrorist organizations in the UK, making support for them illegal.
At a press briefing in Dublin, Martin stressed the importance of clarity from the band. “Have they, or do they, support Hamas and Hezbollah? Because that would be unacceptable,” he emphasized. He also pointed out Hezbollah’s alleged involvement in the murder of Private Seán Rooney, an Irish soldier killed in Lebanon in 2022.
Martin said both groups have participated in appalling acts of violence against innocent people, like the attacks witnessed on October 7. He acknowledged that while there were assertions about Kneecap supporting both militant groups, it remains unclear to him whether they truly do. “They need to urgently clarify that,” he insisted.
The Taoiseach recognized the sensitive atmosphere surrounding the protection of public representatives, especially after recent tragic events related to violence against MPs in the UK. He remarked, “There’s a huge responsibility on everybody to be very, very focused in terms of the safety of public representatives, irrespective of political opinions.”
Simon Chambers, a lawyer specializing in free-speech cases, criticized the police investigation into the band’s comments as overly severe and likened it to a “witch hunt.” “For the Metropolitan Police to be investigating this – in the context of a concert – from an anti-terror perspective is just absolutely ludicrous,” he stated. Chambers argued that censoring bands like Kneecap may further marginalize their supporters and stir controversy.
Féile an Phobail, a prominent arts festival in West Belfast, stood by Kneecap. Festival director Kevin Gamble asserted that the band utilizes their platform to address significant global issues. He expressed that the band aims to highlight ongoing struggles they perceive, especially regarding the situation in Palestine.
Downing Street has since condemned Kneecap’s comments, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch calling for legal action. Keir Starmer’s spokesperson reinforced that the Prime Minister finds such remarks “completely unacceptable.”
The controversy comes at a time when Kneecap is under scrutiny for their actions and statements following their performance at the Coachella Festival, where the group called out perceived injustices against Palestinians.
In response to the backlash, Kneecap issued a statement clarifying their position on the allegations made against them. They accused critics of distorting their messages and claimed that their critiques of government actions are what led to the smear campaign against them.
The band’s message included a strong affirmation of their commitment to speak out against violence and injustice, maintaining that their focus remains on the humanitarian crisis they see unfolding in Palestine. They urged those discontented with their views to recognize the broader context of their statements.
As the investigation proceeds, the pressure is on Kneecap to define their positioning clearly in light of the seriousness of the subject matter under discussion and the potential legal implications of their statements.
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