Photo Credit: Paulo Nunes dos Santos (Kneecap.ie)
Irish rap group Kneecap are facing a British counter-terrorism investigation after footage from a concert went viral on social media.
The footage was posted online by Danny Morris of the Community Security Trust charity. Morris says the footage is from a gig in November 2024 at London’s Kentish Town Forum. The video shows the hip-hop trio on stage, with one member appearing to shout ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah’ at the crowd.
Both Hamas and Hezbollah are considered proscribed terrorist groups in the UK and under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, it is an offense to express “an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organization.” A Metropolitan Police spokesperson says it has been made aware of the video and has referred it to the counter-terrorism unit.
“We have been made aware of the video and it has been referred to the counter-terrorism internet referral unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required,” the spokesperson concludes. Kneecap’s set at Coachella sparked outcry over its anti-Israel messaging, with large text appearing on the stage, ‘Fuck Israel, Free Palestine.’
Sharon Osbourne called for Kneecap’s US work visas to be revoked after the performance. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Kneecap member Mo Chara replied: “her rant has so many holes in it that it hardly warrants a reply, but she should listen to War Pigs that was written by Black Sabbath—led by Ozzy Osbourne, her husband.”
The incident has reignited debates about the boundaries of political expression at music festivals and the responsibilities of event organizers. Kneecap said their first weekend set was censored to remove political activism, while the second weekend’s set was not livestreamed due to the political statements made by the band. Kneecap says they feel a duty to use their platform to highlight what they describe as the oppression of Palestinians.
