ADVERTISEMENT The backlash over freedom of speech and controversial Irish rappers Kneecap has intensified following Hungary’s decision to ban the group from taking part in the Sziget festival.
Government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács explained in a post on the X platform that the the decision to ban Kneecap from entering the country and from participating in the Sziget Festival, was due to statements deemed anti-Semitic and glorifying Hamas and Hezbollah.
He later added that the immigration authorities had issued a formal decision to ban the band members from entering Hungary for three years, considering their presence a “serious threat to national security”.
The government had previously asked festival organisers to exclude the band from the event, which is one of Europe’s biggest music festivals and attracts hundreds of thousands of music lovers to an island on the Danube every summer.
Pro-Palestinian protests
The Belfast-based band is known for its support of the Palestinian cause, which it openly expresses at its concerts.
One of its most controversial recent appearances came at Britain’s Glastonbury Festival, when lead singer Liam O’Hannah, better known by his stage name Mo Chara, accused Israel of committing war crimes.
Last May, Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism-related offence in the UK for displaying a pro-Hezbollah flag. The artist denied the charge, and in previous statements, he emphasised that the band does not support either Hamas or Hezbollah, and that it “condemns all attacks on civilians, at all times”.
The band is by no means alone in expressing vocal support for the Palestinian cause and the enjoys enormous support from other dozens of artists and cultural figures who’ve signed petitions and are organising campaigns against what they deem to be censorship.
Organisers of the Sziget festival say they’ve not had official notification of the government’s decision, and reject pressure to cancel the 11 August performance.
“Our festival remains true to what we have achieved over the past 30 years. There is no place for hate, incitement, prejudice or any form of racism or anti-Semitism” said Sziget in a statement.
This year’s edition features some of the biggest names in music, including Post Malone, Shawn Mendes and Charli XCX.
