Fact Check: Police investigate Bob Vylan's 'death to the IDF' chant at Glastonbury.

Fact Check: Police investigate Bob Vylan's 'death to the IDF' chant at Glastonbury

What We Know

During the Glastonbury Festival on June 28, 2025, the punk-rap duo Bob Vylan performed and chanted "Death, death, to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces. This chant was met with significant backlash from festival organizers and prompted an investigation by local law enforcement. The organizers of Glastonbury expressed their disapproval, stating that the performance "crossed a line" and emphasized that there is "no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence" (USA TODAY). Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were reviewing video evidence to determine if any criminal offenses had occurred (Express).

The Israeli Embassy in Britain condemned the remarks as "inflammatory and hateful rhetoric" (USA TODAY). Additionally, the performance occurred shortly before another controversial act, the Irish rap group Kneecap, which also made politically charged statements during their set (USA TODAY).

Analysis

The claim that police are investigating Bob Vylan's chant is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The police's acknowledgment of the comments made during the festival indicates a serious approach to the matter. Avon and Somerset Police stated they would assess video evidence to determine if any offenses warranting a criminal investigation had been committed (Express).

The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident is high. USA TODAY is a well-established news organization known for its journalistic standards, and the Express, while sometimes criticized for sensationalism, reported the police's statement accurately. The consistent messaging across these reports reinforces the credibility of the claim.

Moreover, the condemnation from Glastonbury organizers and the Israeli Embassy adds weight to the seriousness of the situation. The festival's organizers explicitly stated their stance against hate speech, which aligns with broader societal concerns regarding antisemitism and incitement to violence in public forums (USA TODAY).

Conclusion

The claim that police are investigating Bob Vylan's "death to the IDF" chant at Glastonbury is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the police are indeed looking into the matter following significant public and organizational backlash against the chant.

Sources

1. Portaal - Police.be
2. Bob Vylan's 'death to' Israel chant slammed by Glastonbury fest - USA TODAY
3. Commissariat de Police de Leuze-en-Hainaut
4. Glastonbury Festival police statement after 'death chants' in BBC set ...
5. Commissariat central Anderlecht | Police Locale Midi
6. Bob Vylan's US visas revoked after controversial 'Death to the IDF ...
7. Accueil | Police Locale Namur Capitale
8. Bob Vylan: What to know about the rap duo at the centre of Glastonbury ...