Marco Rubio’s Visa Revocation Push Against Bob Vylan Ignites Global Firestorm
On June 28, 2025, British rap-punk duo Bob Vylan took the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival, unaware that their performance would spark an international controversy. Frontman Bobby Vylan, real name Pascal Robinson-Foster, led the crowd in chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF,” referring to the Israel Defense Forces. The provocative statements, broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, have prompted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to push for the revocation of the duo’s visas, threatening their planned 20-city U.S. tour in October. The fallout, fueled by accusations of hate speech and antisemitism, has exploded into a global debate, revealing tensions far beyond a single performance.
Bob Vylan, formed in Ipswich in 2017, is known for blending grime, punk, and hard rock to tackle issues like racism, homophobia, and far-right politics. Their Glastonbury set, performed against a backdrop of a Palestinian flag, was a high-energy call to action, with Bobby Vylan crowdsurfing and rallying 30,000 festivalgoers. The chants, particularly “Death to the IDF” and “From the river to the sea,” were condemned by the Israeli Embassy in the UK as “inflammatory and hateful,” accusing the duo of advocating for the dismantling of Israel and Jewish self-determination. The U.S. State Department, under Rubio’s leadership, echoed this sentiment, with a senior official stating, “The U.S. government will not issue visas to any foreigner who supports terrorists,” signaling a swift move to block Bob Vylan’s entry.
The backlash was immediate. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the chants “appalling hate speech,” while Glastonbury organizer Emily Eavis said they “crossed a line,” emphasizing that antisemitism and incitement have no place at the festival. The BBC, which aired the performance live, faced criticism for not cutting the feed, later removing it from iPlayer with a warning about “deeply offensive” language. British police are now investigating whether the chants constitute hate speech or incitement to violence, a probe that could have legal consequences for the duo. Meanwhile, StopAntisemitism, a New York-based watchdog, amplified calls for visa revocation, framing the chants as antisemitic.
Bobby Vylan, undeterred, doubled down on Instagram, stating, “I said what I said,” and reported receiving both support and hatred. He mocked critics with a photo of himself eating vegan ice cream, dismissing “Zionists crying on socials.” Supporters on X praised his boldness, arguing the chants reflect frustration with Israeli military actions, while detractors, including former BBC director Danny Cohen, said the broadcast sent a “shiver of fear” through the UK’s Jewish community. The controversy has split public opinion, with some defending free speech and others decrying the chants as dangerous rhetoric.
The visa revocation push, led by Rubio, underscores the Trump administration’s hardline stance on perceived anti-Israel sentiment. Bob Vylan’s history of provocation—such as wearing a tattered Union flag at Reading Festival and targeting a Jewish music executive at Glastonbury—adds fuel to the fire. Yet, the duo’s defenders argue their music channels the spirit of punk rebellion, giving voice to marginalized communities. The clash raises questions about free expression, political censorship, and the global reach of U.S. policy. As Bob Vylan faces potential exclusion from the U.S., the controversy highlights a deeper divide: where does protest end and incitement begin? The world is watching, and the stakes are higher than anyone imagined.
