US Revokes Visas for UK Rap Duo Bob Vylan After Anti-IDF Chant

The US State Department has revoked the visas of British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan after the group led festival-goers in chants of “Free Palestine” and “Death to the IDF” during a performance at Glastonbury’s West Holts Stage on 28 June. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced the decision on 30 June, writing that “foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”

The visa cancellation bars the duo, Pascal Robinson-Foster and Bobby Vylan, from entering the United States ahead of a roughly 20-city tour scheduled to begin in late October. The move comes under an expanded policy that denies entry to foreigners deemed to promote terrorism or antisemitic violence.

Repercussions spread beyond Washington. United Talent Agency dropped the act, and the BBC—whose live feed carried the performance—acknowledged that the broadcast “should have been pulled” and apologised for airing “utterly unacceptable” comments. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the chant “appalling,” and Avon and Somerset Police have opened a hate-speech inquiry after reviewing festival footage.