Bob Vylan Stance on Glastonbury IDF Protest: "Zero Regrets"

The frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Reactions

This outspoken music duo ignited significant debate when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer performance. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department revoked the members' travel documents, compelling them to call off a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first public discussion since the festival show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the criticism the band faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Comments

This artist claimed he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the chant, and stated that members of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU later determined that the network's airing of the performance violated editorial guidelines in regard to harm and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When asked what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic events reported later.

"I believe I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of individuals acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Different Bands

When Vylan said he felt the band had been criticised more severely than others for speaking about the conflict, the host referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "because as with all things ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."