West Belfast rap group Kneecap has responded to growing criticism following their politically charged performance at the Coachella music festival, where they ended their set with strong pro-Palestinian messages.
The backlash includes calls for their US visas to be revoked, most notably from television personality and music manager Sharon Osbourne.
Osbourne took to social media to accuse the group of delivering “aggressive political statements” during their set, alleging that their act included “projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech.”
She also claimed the group “openly support terrorist organizations” and criticized the festival organizers, Goldenvoice, for allowing Kneecap to return for a second weekend performance.
Osbourne concluded her message by urging authorities to revoke the group’s work visas, citing her own heritage and industry experience as grounds for concern.
Kneecap responded bluntly when approached by BBC News NI, stating: “Statements aren’t aggressive, murdering 20,000 children is though,” in reference to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The band has consistently used their platform to show solidarity with Palestinians and to condemn Israel’s actions in the region.
The situation stems from the wider Israel-Gaza conflict, which reignited following Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, resulting in around 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages.
Israel’s military response has reportedly killed over 51,000 Palestinians, according to figures from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Access for international journalists is restricted, meaning many of these statistics cannot be independently verified.
At their second Coachella performance, Kneecap displayed three large text messages on stage reading: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” “It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes,” and “F*** Israel. Free Palestine.”
The band also led chants of “Free, free Palestine,” drawing both support and outrage from attendees and viewers online.
Kneecap’s earlier Coachella appearance on 11 April was also controversial, featuring an anti-Margaret Thatcher chant and calls for a united Ireland—segments that were excluded from the festival’s livestream.
The US State Department, when asked to comment, reiterated that visa revocations are considered when new information arises that may suggest visa ineligibility or potential threats to public safety.
However, officials declined to address Kneecap’s case specifically, citing privacy and visa confidentiality policies.
The rap group is scheduled to perform in various venues across the US and Canada in the coming months.
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