Hungary bans Irish rap group Kneecap over pro-Palestine stance

Hungarian authorities have barred Irish rap group Kneecap from performing at the Sziget Festival and entering the country, following the band’s outspoken condemnation of Israel’s war on Gaza.

The Belfast-based trio, known for backing the Palestinian cause during live shows, were accused by Hungary of spreading “antisemitic hate speech” and praising Hamas and Hezbollah. The decision was announced on Thursday by government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs, who claimed their rhetoric threatens national security, Reuters reported.

Kneecap have repeatedly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as war crimes and genocide. At Britain’s Glastonbury Festival, frontman Mo Chara (Liam Og O hAnnaidh) used the stage to denounce Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians.

The group has rejected accusations of supporting Hamas or Hezbollah, stating: “We condemn all attacks on civilians, always.”

Festival organisers said they had not been informed of the ban and pushed back against calls to cancel the act, saying: “There is no place for hatred, incitement, prejudice, or any form of racism or antisemitism.”