Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap have responded to criticism over their controversial Coachella performance, after Sharon Osbourne called for them to have their U.S. working visas revoked.
The band met fierce criticism from several quarters, including Osbourne and Fox News, after their performance last Friday at Coachella’s Sonora stage included projections “fuck Israel” and “free Palestine” and other messages of protest against U.S. support of the Israel-Hamas war.
After being approached for comment by BBC News Northern Ireland over the backlash, Kneecap, whose autobiographical movie won several awards last year, said: “Statements aren’t aggressive, murdering 20,000 children is though.”
The trio’s manager, Daniel Lambert, also told Irish radio that the band received praise for their actions, but also a number of death threats that were “too severe to get into.”
Their comments came after reality TV star and wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne said Kneecap should not have included “aggressive political statements” in their set, adding: “Music’s primary purpose is to unite people. It should not be a venue for promoting terrorist organisations or spreading hate.” She also demanded U.S. authorities revoke their working visas.
Earlier this week, the divisive set saw Jewish organization the Simon Wiesenthal Center denounce the group, saying it was “remarkable that Kneecap used a music festival to foment hate, exactly the kind of gathering where, on October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists brutally murdered, raped, burned and kidnapped innocent young people at the Nova Music Festival in Israel.” At the same time, it offered them the chance to visit its Roxbury Drive office to discuss the impacts of their actions.
Since the war broke out after the Hamas-led terror attack on Israel 19 months ago, more than 51,300 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-led health ministry. Almost 2,000 have died from Israeli military actions since a ceasefire ended on March 18. Israel continues to demand the release of 59 hostages it says Hamas is still holding, around 24 of whom are still believed to be alive. Around 1,200 Israelis were killed in the October 7 attacks. An Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid in Gaza, which has been condemned by the UN, remains in place.
