{"id":21444,"date":"2025-07-24T23:55:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T23:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/21444\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T23:55:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T23:55:10","slug":"kneecap-banned-from-hungary-pitchfork","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/21444\/","title":{"rendered":"Kneecap Banned From Hungary | Pitchfork"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kneecap<\/a> have been banned from Hungary for three years, government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs shared<\/a> on X. Kovacs claimed<\/a> that the Irish rappers have \u201crepeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups.\u201d He also said that the trio\u2019s planned performance at Budapest\u2019s Sziget Festival<\/a> \u201cposed a national security threat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kneecap responded to the ban with a statement<\/a> shared on social media. They apologized to fans who had anticipated seeing them at Sziget, and they also criticized Hungary\u2019s prime minister, Viktor Orban, for recently hosting<\/a> Israel\u2019s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for a visit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country,\u201d the band wrote. \u201cWe stand against all ahte crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices where we see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kneecap also called the ban a \u201cpolitical distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sziget representatives called<\/a> the ban \u201can unprecedented move which we believe is both unnecessary and regrettable.\u201d They also wrote, \u201cFollowing concerns raised by Government and pressure groups across Hungary over the past weeks at the prospect of Kneecap performing, we have liaised closely with the band and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Sziget\u2019s values or Hungarian law.\u201d<\/p>\n

The representatives continued, \u201cSziget Festival\u2018s values mean we condemn hate speech, while guaranteeing the fundamental right to artistic freedom of expression for every performer. Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kneecap, who had been due to perform on Sziget\u2019s final day, Monday, August 11, have faced increased scrutiny over their stance on Israel amid the country\u2019s ongoing assault of Gaza. One of the group\u2019s members, Mo Chara, was charged<\/a> with a terror offense in London allegedly displaying the Hezbollah flag during a 2024 concert. Chara was granted unconditional bail<\/a> at a court appearance last month, and Kneecap have said<\/a> they do not support Hezbollah or Hamas.<\/p>\n

Following the charge against Chara, Kneecap were removed<\/a> from Scotland\u2019s TRNSMT music festival \u201cdue to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event.\u201d Kneecap were later investigated<\/a> by police over their Glastonbury<\/a> performance, but no charges were filed.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/a>Kneecap Live Review: Beer, Baggies, and a Little Revolution<\/a>