Kneecap Rapper Insists Group Is Not Antisemitic in Candid Big Issue Interview
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, a member of the Belfast rap group Kneecap, has strongly rejected allegations that the band is antisemitic. In an exclusive interview with the Big Issue magazine, O hAnnaidh argued that such labels dilute the seriousness of the term. The interview comes after a legal case against the rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was dismissed. He was accused of displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah during a performance.
Defending Against Accusations and Legal Proceedings
O hAnnaidh told the Big Issue that accusing bands and individuals who criticise Israel of antisemitism undermines the meaning of the word. "When you start labelling bands and people who speak out against Israel as antisemitic, what you do is water that term down," he said. "We are not antisemitic." The alleged incident occurred at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, on November 21, 2024. However, the case was thrown out in September last year when chief magistrate Paul Goldspring ruled the proceedings were "instituted unlawfully."
The Crown Prosecution Service appealed the decision at the High Court in January, but two judges upheld the dismissal last week, ending the legal challenge. O hAnnaidh explained that during performances, it is "impossible" to remember every detail due to adrenaline and other factors, not just alcohol. "When you're playing a gig it's impossible to be perfectly conscious all the time. I don't remember all – and that's not just from drink, that's pure adrenaline," he added.
Band Members Speak Out on Discrimination and Identity
Another band member, Moglai Bap, emphasised the group's origins and stance against discrimination. "We are from the north of Ireland," he said. "We know about f****** religious conflicts, people using religion as a way to murder, maim and all this stuff. We are against any discrimination in any form." This statement underscores the band's commitment to opposing bigotry while acknowledging their background in a region with a history of sectarian violence.
Artistic Collaboration and Magazine Release
The full interview will be published in Monday's edition of the Big Issue, available from street vendors and online via bigissue.com. To accompany the feature, graffiti artist 10Foot has created new artwork depicting Kneecap, which will grace the magazine's cover. Additionally, 10Foot has contributed an exclusive print that will be included free with each copy sold, adding a unique collectible element to this special issue.
This interview provides a platform for Kneecap to clarify their position amid controversy, highlighting their artistic expression and legal vindication. The group's message resonates with themes of free speech and the complexities of political symbolism in performance art.
