LONDON

British police said Monday that they have launched a criminal investigation into the rap-punk duo Bob Vylan’s weekend performance at the Glastonbury Music Festival over its vocalist’s chants against the Israeli army.

Police said they made the decision after reviewing video footage and audio of the performance.

It followed a statement by the BBC saying it regretted its decision not to pull the live stream for Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set, during which rapper Bobby Vylan led crowds in chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF,” referring to the Israeli Defense Forces.

The Israeli Embassy in London condemned the chants as "inflammatory and hateful rhetoric" while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled them as “appalling hate speech.”

The group, consisting of Bobby Vylan on vocals and guitar and Bobbie Vylan on drums, both names being stage names to maintain their privacy, has also faced a backlash in the US, with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau writing on X that the State Department has revoked their visas "in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants.”

Following the developments, Bob Vylan shared a video post on Instagram saying politicians who have spent time criticizing the band should be "utterly ashamed" for giving room to this over other issues.

In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said that after reviewing footage of both Bob Vylan and Irish rap band Kneecap’s performances at the festival, they have decided that further enquiries are required and a criminal investigation is now being undertaken.

The force also appointed a senior detective to lead the investigation, the statement said, adding the investigation will be "evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes."

"We have received a large amount of contact in relation to these events from people across the world and recognize the strength of public feeling. There is absolutely no place in society for hate," said the police statement.

The Israeli army has killed more than 56,500 Palestinians in a deadly onslaught in the Gaza Strip since October 2023.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.