A Hot Potato: Kneecap's Confrontational Videos Under Fire
Cop on a Counter-Terror Hotspot
Investigations by UK counter-terrorism authorities are underway, focusing on two videos linked to the Irish militant group, Kneecap.
The Metropolitan Police's counter-terror unit has their hands full, investigating two eyebrow-raising clips from Irish rap sensation, Kneecap. The videos, dating back to 2023 and '24, carry claims of incendiary statements against the Tories and alleged expressions of support for terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, both proscribed in the UK.[1][2]
Spitting Words: The Troubling Content
- "Don't Bury 'em Alive, Burn 'em ALIVE, Tory Scumbag!": This heated statement, presumed to be from a November 2024 performance, has raised concerns amidst the ongoing police investigation.[1]
- "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah": In a different video from last year's November gig, a Kneecap member reportedly shouted support for terrorist groups, causing quite a stir.[1][2]
Prickly Response from the Band
Repeatedly using their platform to voice political opinions, Kneecap has been quite vocal about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A band member states that it is their responsibility to speak out due to the ongoing fatal conflicts and the fact that the U.S. supplies Israel with weapons.[3]
Controversial Coachella Performance: The Pre-Heat
Further sparking debate, Kneecap faced criticism during their performance at Coachella in 2025 for comments regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The band's political stance attracted public backlash, even prompting Sharon Osbourne to advocate revoking their U.S. work visas.[2]
These performances and political statements have stirred discussions about freedom of speech, censorship, and the boundaries of political expression in public events.
Clarification: Hamas / Hezbollah
Hamas and Hezbollah are labelled as terrorist groups in the UK under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, making it illegal to express opinions or beliefs that support such organizations.[4]
Two British MPs have been murdered within the last decade: Labour's Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative Sir David Amess in 2021.[5]
The UK government strongly condemns any threats towards elected representatives and takes reports of intimidation, harassment, and threats very seriously.[5]
- The Metropolitan Police's counter-terror unit has unequivocally assessed Kneecap's 2023 and '24 videos as containing incendiary statements against the Tories and expressions of support for terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which are proscribed in the UK.
- In a heated statement presumed to be from a November 2024 performance, Kneecap was caught on camera, shouting, "Don't Bury 'em Alive, Burn 'em ALIVE, Tory Scumbag!" causing concerns amidst the police investigation.
- The ongoing controversy surrounding Kneecap's performances and political statements has stirred discussions about freedom of speech, censorship, and the boundaries of political expression in public events, often crossing into general-news and entertainment formats.
- In the music industry and the realm of politics, Kneecap has been no stranger to controversy, with their capacity to challenge the status quo evident in their provocative performances and outspoken views on topics such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Due to the sensitivity of expressing opinions or beliefs that support terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, artists and individuals must be cautious in their public comments, as they could potentially face charges under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, and risk repercussions from crime-and-justice sectors.
