Kneecap say statements ‘not aggressive’ after criticism

The west Belfast rap group Kneecap have hit again at a name for his or her US visas to be revoked after their efficiency at Coachella the place they ended their set with pro-Palestinian messages.

Writing on social media, TV character and music supervisor Sharon Osbourne mentioned the hip-hop trio “took their efficiency to a distinct degree by incorporating aggressive political statements”.

When requested by BBC Information NI for a response, the band replied: “Statements aren’t aggressive, murdering 20,000 youngsters is although.”

The pageant’s organisers have additionally been approached for remark.

Kneecap have been vocal supporters of the Palestinian folks, usually elevating the battle of their stay performances.

Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 folks – largely civilians – and taking 251 again to Gaza as hostages.

Israel launched a large army offensive in response, which has killed 51,240 Palestinians – primarily civilians – in line with figures launched by Gaza’s Hamas-run well being ministry.

The variety of youngsters who’ve been killed in Gaza is disputed. Worldwide journalists together with the BBC are blocked by Israel from getting into Gaza independently so are unable to independently confirm figures.

Chatting with Irish broadcaster RTÉ , Kneecap’s supervisor mentioned: “If anyone is damage by the reality, that is one thing for them to be damage by, however it’s actually essential to talk reality.”

Daniel Lambert added: “Fortunately the lads usually are not afraid to try this.”

He additionally mentioned the band had acquired dying threats following their efficiency at Coachella and described the threats as “too extreme to get into”.

In an announcement to BBC Information NI, the US State Division mentioned when contemplating revocations, they take a look at info that “might point out a possible visa ineligibility beneath US immigration legal guidelines, pose a risk to public security, or different conditions the place revocation is warranted”.

The band are set to play various reveals within the US and Canada in coming months.

On Tuesday, Osbourne claimed on social media the band’s actions included “projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech”.

“This band overtly help terrorist organizations,” she added.

Ms Osbourne was additionally essential of the organisers of the pageant, Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of Anschutz Leisure Group (AEG).

“Reviews point out that Goldenvoice was unaware of Kneecap’s political intentions once they had been booked,” Osbourne mentioned.

“Nonetheless, after witnessing their efficiency in the course of the first weekend, permitting them to carry out once more the next weekend suggests help of their rhetoric and a scarcity of due diligence,” she continued.

“This behaviour raises considerations in regards to the appropriateness of their participation in such a pageant and additional reveals they’re booked to play within the USA,” Osbourne mentioned.

“I do know for a incontrovertible fact that sure folks within the trade had written to Goldenvoice, airing their considerations across the reserving of Kneecap,” she mentioned.

Osbourne is the spouse of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, and a former decide of TV expertise reveals The X-Issue and America’s Bought Expertise.

She additionally managed her husband’s solo profession.

Osbourne completed her put up by saying: “As somebody of each Irish Catholic on my mom’s facet and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage on her father’s facet and intensive expertise within the music trade, I perceive the complexities concerned.

“I urge you to affix me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap’s work visa.”

The pageant organisers have been approached for remark.

Warning: This text options language that some readers might discover offensive

On the finish of their set on the second weekend of Coachella, which was not streamed on the pageant’s official YouTube web page, Kneecap projected three screens of textual content.

The primary message mentioned: “Israel is committing genocide in opposition to the Palestinian folks,” adopted by: “It’s being enabled by the US authorities who arm and fund Israel regardless of their warfare crimes,” and a ultimate display screen added: “[Expletive] Israel. Free Palestine.”

In the course of the efficiency, band member Mo Chara mentioned: “The Irish not so way back had been persecuted by the hands of the Brits, however we had been by no means bombed from the… skies with nowhere to go.

“The Palestinians have nowhere to go.”

The band additionally led the viewers in chants of: “Free, free Palestine”.

On 11 April, throughout Kneecap’s first Coachella efficiency, the group confronted criticism after main an anti-Margaret Thatcher chant – which was subsequently omitted from the pageant’s livestream – together with requires a united Eire.

A US State Division spokesperson mentioned: “As a consequence of privateness and different issues, and visa confidentiality, we usually is not going to touch upon division actions with respect to particular instances.”

They mentioned the Trump administration “is concentrated on defending our nation and our residents by upholding the best requirements of nationwide safety and public security by our visa course of”.

“When contemplating revocations, the division appears to be like at info that arises after the visa was issued which will point out a possible visa ineligibility beneath US immigration legal guidelines, pose a risk to public security, or different conditions the place revocation is warranted,” they added.

“This may embody all the things from arrests, felony convictions, and fascinating in conduct that’s inconsistent with the visa classification, to an overstay.”