Bobby Vylan's Stance on Festival Israel Defense Forces Protest: "Zero Regrets"

Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Responses

The vocal punk pair ignited significant debate when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer set. The chant was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the artists' visas, compelling them to cancel a planned North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his first interview since the Glastonbury performance, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the band faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have their backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some rightwing official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

The musician said he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

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

He told Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the politics of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. In which the local people are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish events reported two days.

"I believe I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of people going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Bands

As he mentioned he thought the band had been criticised more heavily than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Irish band Kneecap, who have also faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."