The group have come under fire after a video emerged from a November 2023 gig appearing to show one member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Counter-terrorism police in London are examining the footage, along with a video clip from another concert in November 2024 in which a member of the band appeared to shout “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”, groups which are banned as terrorist organisations in the UK.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Mícheál Martin said: “We need clarity. This is what has been asserted, albeit at one or two public events.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – April 28th 2025
“I think what would benefit the entire conversation is of Kneecap were to clarify really urgently their position in respect of Hezbollah, for example, and in respect of Hamas, and also their very clear denunciation of any violence or threat of violence against public representatives.”
He said artists had always been facilitated in criticising policies but that any support of Hezbollah would be “unacceptable”.
He said the terrorist group were responsible for the killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon and the “appalling killing of innocent people on October 7”.
The Taoiseach said: “But it’s not clear to me that they do, that Kneecap does support Hezbollah and Hamas. It’s been asserted that they have made commentary in support of both. I think they need to urgently clarify that.”
He said: “We have had some horrific events in terms of the killing of MPs in Britain, so there’s a huge responsibility on everybody to be very, very focused in terms of the protection of public representatives and the safety of public representatives, irrespective of what the reviews we have.”
Mr Martin added: “I think that that’s very, very important in the broader scheme of things, in in arts and creative arts and so on that people are, you know, have always been facilitated in terms of their right to criticize particular policies and so on. There’s no issue there.
“That’s all legitimate. But in terms of life and security and safety of people, that’s a different issue.”
The group have also been condemned in a statement from British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson, and by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.
A British Labour MP has also written to organisers of the Glastonbury Festival, urging them to remove Kneecap from the bill.
David Taylor has written to organiser Sir Michael Eavis to say it would be “deeply troubling” to see the band performing at the event in light of the 2023 video taken at one of their gigs.
The band are listed to play on the Saturday of this June’s festival.
In his letter to Sir Michael, shared on X, the MP for Hemel Hempstead, said: “By hosting such a group, Glastonbury Festival risks undermining its proud tradition of promoting peace, unity and social responsibility.
“It would be deeply troubling to see the festival provide a platform to individuals who advocate hatred and violence, especially at a time when political and social tensions are already high.”
He added: “I urge you to reconsider the decision to host Kneecap and remove them from the list of performers.
“Doing so would send a clear message that Glastonbury stands firmly against violence, terrorism, and political extremism in all its forms.”
Mr Starmer’s official spokesman said on Monday that the prime minister believes the comments from the band member were “completely unacceptable” and “condemns them in the strongest possible terms”.
At Stormont, Alliance Party MP Sorcha Eastwood has tabled a parliamentary motion condemning west Belfast trio.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson accused the band of performing in “a grotesque way” that “promotes division”. He said a “slim defence” is put forward that argues the group “have freedom of this expression”. “They have become a hate fest,” he said, speaking at Stormont.
“When you listen to Katie Amess this morning, I don’t think anyone could be failed to be moved by just how appalling and outrageous their position is,” he said.
Ms Amess, the daughter of Conservative MP David Amess who was stabbed to death while meeting constituents in Essex in 2021, has called on Kneecap to apologise.
“This isn’t a political perspective just from us, when you can see that there’s a collective political will in London and Dublin calling out, not only the need for them to clarify or apologise.
“From my perspective, these gentlemen don’t need to be on a stage, they need to be in a courtroom because it is a hate crime what they are doing and it should be considered as such.”
The Belfast group has been outspoken in support for Palestine and criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
At Coachella, Kneecap displayed messages which read: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people”, “It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes” and “F*** Israel. Free Palestine”.
Following the Coachella performance, former The X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne called for their US work visas to be revoked.
The Creative Community for Peace, a group that works to counter anti-Israel sentiment in the entertainment industry, also heavily criticised the performance.
In social media posts, the band alleged it had “faced a co-ordinated smear campaign”, saying that their shows have previously “called out” the conflict in Gaza.
“The recent attacks against us, largely emanating from the US, are based on deliberate distortions and falsehoods,” Kneecap added.
“We are taking action against several of these malicious efforts.”
They added: “Let us be absolutely clear. The reason Kneecap is being targeted is simple – we are telling the truth, and our audience is growing.
“Those attacking us want to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponise false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide.”
Kneecap’s manager Daniel Lambert also said the band had received “severe” death threats.
On Tuesday, Osbourne called the images at Coachella “projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech”.
The music manager and wife of Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne wrote on X: “As someone of both Irish Catholic on my mother’s side and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage on her father’s side and extensive experience in the music industry, I understand the complexities involved.
“I urge you to join me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap’s work visa.”
Kneecap, made up of Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Caireallain and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, added that “there are massive numbers of Jewish people outraged by this genocide just as we are”, and said they “will not stay silent” on Gaza.
They said: “The young people at our gigs see through the lies. They stand on the side of humanity and justice, and that gives us great hope.”
The trio, who perform in Irish and English, received support on the post from US rapper Macklemore, American-Irish comedian Des Bishop, Love Island star Matthew MacNabb and US singer Carsie Blanton.
#Taoiseach #urges #Kneecap #clarify #views #Hamas #violence #British #calls #Glastonbury #drop #Belfast #rappers
