Bob Vylan's Position on Glastonbury IDF Protest: "Zero Regrets"

Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

This outspoken music pair ignited significant controversy when they initiated audience chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer set. This slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was released by its representation UTA, and the US government cancelled the members' visas, forcing the duo to call off a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his first interview after the Glastonbury performance, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the band encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Comments

The artist said he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the show breached editorial guidelines in relation to offense and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the politics of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When asked what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the situation that exist to permit that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of people going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Artists

When he mentioned he felt the duo had been targeted more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host brought up the Irish group another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "since as with everything ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."