The BBC has partly upheld complaints about its decision to stream punk duo Bob Vylan's performance at this year's Glastonbury festival. The broadcaster's executive complaints unit (ECU) ruled that streaming the set broke editorial guidelines on harm and offence due to frontman Bobby Vylan's chant of 'death, death to the IDF', use of slogans 'from the river to the sea' and 'free, free Palestine', and referring to record company executives as 'fucking Zionists'. The ECU said these comments could 'fairly be characterised as antisemitic', perpetuating 'a certain stereotype of Jewish influence in the entertainment industry'.
However, the set was cleared of being likely to encourage or incite crime. The ECU noted that references to 'free Palestine' and 'from the river to the sea' could be seen as expressions of support for a Palestinian state rather than threatening violent action. It also said the chant 'death, death to the IDF' was directed at an institution, not individuals, and did not breach impartiality rules, as festival coverage is not on the same footing as news and current affairs.
Bob Vylan have defended their statements, projecting a message on stage that read: 'Free Palestine – United Nations have called it a genocide – the BBC calls it a conflict'. Glastonbury organisers said they were 'appalled' by the statements, and BBC director general Tim Davie said he 'deeply regret[s] that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC'. The BBC has since removed the footage from on-demand services and said it will no longer broadcast live performances deemed 'high risk'.
Avon and Somerset police are investigating the comments, considering legislation including hate crimes, and working with the Crown Prosecution Service. Separately, a forthcoming gig in the Netherlands was cancelled after Bobby Vylan was accused of celebrating the death of far-right influencer Charlie Kirk, though Vylan denied this, saying he called Kirk 'a piece of shit' but did not celebrate his death.
