Punk rap duo Vylan sues BBC for Glastonbury smears

Punk rap duo Bob Vylan have announced they’re suing the BBC for making defamatory comments about them during their Glastonbury appearance. The duo were targeted by the UK state and Israel lobby for their ‘Death to the IDF’ chant at the festival.

BBC slammed

In a joint statement on their Instagram feeds, Bobby and Bobbie Vylan accused the BBC of committing libel them. They added that the broadcaster is betraying its publicly-funded purpose and collaborating in Israel’s genocide:

We have decided to take legal action against the BBC. In the immediate aftermath of our performance at Glastonbury 2025, The BBC wasted no time in placing labels upon us that did not, do not and never will fit.

As a corporation that receives the majority of its funding from the public, it has disappointingly continued to prove how little it represents the interests of the people and our access to unbiased news and information.

The BBC have attempted to silence those that oppose the heinous crimes taking place in Palestine, instead labelling them as anti-semitic, editing their speeches, removing their content and even blocking the release of documentaries that challenge the desired narrative of The BBC and its top brass.

These responses are unacceptable. So seeing the opportunity to remind them the power of the people that they are attempting to silence, we had no choice but to take on this fight. In fact, we take great pleasure in serving them that reminder in court.

Free Palestine and Justice for the Filton 25.

The Israel lobby went into meltdown at the idea that anyone should wish for deaths among a genocidal, occupying military force inflicting hundreds of thousands of deaths and maimings on a captive civilian population. Instead of honestly recognising what Israel and the Israeli Occupation Forces represent, the lobby claimed the chant was for the ‘death of Jews’. This line was parroted ceaselessly by the BBC and other mouthpieces, with the BBC also censoring the band’s performance.

Bob Vylan has a long record of support for the Palestinian people and their right to defend themselves against the genocidal occupier. Bobby Vylan says he attended his first protest aged fifteen and the band has been highly critical of organisations and performers who do not oppose the Gaza genocide.

Time for a reckoning

More of those who are in a position to do so should take such action. The smears of Israel’s cheerleaders must be countered and those behind them hit hard.

Featured image via the Canary