"The legal action alleges Ireland's national broadcaster defamed the group by claiming they led antisemitic chants at the festival last June. The group's lead singer, Pascal Robinson-Foster, known as Bobby Vylan, led a chant of death, death to the IDF, a reference to the Israel Defense Forces, making global headlines and prompting a British police investigation. RTE's allegation that the band made antisemitic chants were categorically denied and entirely untrue, Phoenix Law Solicitors, a Belfast-based firm hired by the band, said in a statement."
"Darragh Mackin, one of the firm's solicitors, said: Our clients are no stranger to utilising their freedom of expression to speak out against the genocide in Gaza. There is however a fundamental distinction between speaking critically about the role of the Israeli state forces, and being antisemitic. The former is speech within the confines of political expression, whereas the latter is a form of hatred directed towards Jewish people."
Bob Vylan, a British punk-rap duo, launched defamation proceedings against Irish broadcaster RTE over coverage of their Glastonbury performance. The legal action alleges RTE defamed the group by claiming they led antisemitic chants during the 28 June 2025 festival. Lead singer Pascal Robinson-Foster led a chant of death, death to the IDF, referencing the Israel Defense Forces, which made global headlines and prompted a British police investigation. Phoenix Law Solicitors, representing the band, categorically denied the allegation and said the band never engaged in antisemitic conduct. Documents were lodged at the high court in Dublin to seek retraction, apology and redress for reputational and emotional damage.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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