Bobby Vylan's Stance on Festival Israel Defense Forces Chant: "No Remorse"

The frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

This vocal music pair sparked significant controversy when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer performance. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, the band was dropped by its agency UTA, and the US government revoked the members' travel documents, forcing them to cancel a planned North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the criticism the band faced was "small compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing official or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Comments

The musician said he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the chant, and asserted that staff of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the performance violated editorial guidelines in relation to harm and hurt.

He told Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response 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 characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. Where the Palestinian people are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety organisation, that their performance led to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents recorded later.

"I believe I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of people going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

When he said he thought the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based band another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."