British authorities have decided not to pursue criminal charges against the punk-rap duo Bob Vylan for leading a controversial chant at one of the world's most famous music festivals. The decision concludes a months-long investigation that drew international attention and sparked a debate on free speech and incitement.
The Glastonbury Incident and Police Investigation
The incident occurred on June 28, 2025, during the duo's performance at the Glastonbury Festival in southwest England. Bobby Vylan, one half of the duo, led the massive crowd in chanting "Death to the IDF", referring to the Israeli military. The moment was captured on video and quickly spread online, generating immediate and intense backlash.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Avon and Somerset Police, the force responsible for the Glastonbury region, announced their conclusion. After a thorough review, they determined the act "did not meet the threshold for a criminal prosecution." The police service stated, "No further action will be taken on the basis there is insufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction."
The force acknowledged the significant public reaction, noting the chant "drew widespread anger," and confirmed that "every potential criminal offence was thoroughly considered" before reaching the decision that prosecution was not legally viable.
Immediate Fallout and International Reaction
The chant triggered significant consequences even before the police concluded their investigation. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly condemned the chant as "appalling." The controversy also had a direct impact on media coverage and the band's touring schedule.
The BBC responded by announcing it would no longer provide live broadcasts of musical performances it deems "high risk," a policy shift directly linked to the incident. Internationally, a scheduled show for Bob Vylan at a music venue in Germany was cancelled by the promoters in the months following the festival.
The Israeli embassy in London expressed strong disappointment with the police decision. In a post on the social media platform X, the embassy stated, "vile calls for violence, repeated openly and without remorse, continue to fall on deaf ears." It further argued that "failing to act only emboldens those who seek to harm Jews."
The Band's Defense and Clarification
Following their Glastonbury performance, Bob Vylan addressed the growing controversy directly. In a statement posted to their Instagram feed, the duo sought to clarify their message and distance themselves from accusations of antisemitism.
"We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people," the statement read. "We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine." This clarification aimed to reframe the chant as a political protest against the Israeli military's actions, rather than an incitement of violence against Jewish people as a whole.
The case highlights the complex legal and social lines between political protest, artistic expression, and potential incitement to hatred or violence under U.K. law. The police's decision indicates that, in this specific instance, the evidence did not support moving forward with a prosecution, leaving the act as a moment of festival controversy with lasting professional repercussions for the artists involved.
