Since the band’s Coachella weekend two performance and statements, the band have been heavily criticised by supporters of Israel and the genocide in Gaza.
Meanwhile political establishment have been using Kneecap’s outspoken views as a distraction from their own complicity in enabling Israel to carry out the continued displacement and starvation of the Palestinian population.
The latest furore started when the Belfast band displayed messages on screens during their Coachella performance on April 18th.
Here’s a timeline of what’s happened since Coachella up to this point:
Friday April 11th – Kneecap perform at Coachella weekend 1
After their set during weekend one at Coachella, Kneecap said that their live streamed set was cut out when the band started an an anti-Margaret Thatcher chant.
“Here, if anybody was wondering, Margaret Thatcher’s still dead,” they said before ‘H.O.O.D’, before starting a rendition of “Maggie’s In A Box” to the tune of KC And The Sunshine Band’s ‘Give It Up’.
The band said that their pro-Palestinian message that they show “on screens during performances was “didn’t appear on screens either.”
“Not the only thing that was cut – our messaging on the US-backed genocide in Gaza somehow never appeared on screens either,” the band said. “Back next Friday Coachella and it’ll be sorted. GRAM to everyone who packed out the tent.”
Friday April 18th – Kneecap perform at Coachella weekend 2
The band perform at Weekend two where those aforementioned messages were shown on the screens behind them and 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.”
“Fuck Israel. Free Palestine”.
Mo Chara also told crowd: “The Irish not so long ago were persecuted at the hands of the Brits, but we were never bombed from the fucking skies with nowhere to go.
“The Palestinians have nowhere to go, it’s their fucking home and they’re bombing them from the skies,” he said. “If you’re not calling it a genocide what the fuck are you calling it?”
The band then led a “Free, Free Palestine” chant.
Some uncensored messaging to Coachella 🤝🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/WbHZBrCZl5
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 19, 2025
The band were joined on stage by Turkish-American influencer Hasan Piker who broadcast the band’s message via livestream on his Twitch channel.
Saturday April 20th – Hate mail
On X, The band share some of the hate mail hey’ve received as a result of calling out the US and Israel with comments calling them nazis and antisemites.
Meanwhile, Established US media like Variety say that the band’s messaging was “aggressive”:
Monday April 21st – Coachella “Blindsided” / Fox News react
"A band I've never even heard of"
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 21, 2025
The only part of this shite that made any sense. pic.twitter.com/HcWx11X6c5
The organisers of Coachella, promoters Goldenvoice claimed they were “blindsided” by Kneecap’s comments, which in itself is laughable thing to say considering the notoriety of the Belfast trio’s support for Gaza and constant pro-Palestine messaging Kneecap have displayed well before October 7th took place.
Fox News commentators also weighed in, saying “we have to remove these activist from authority positions.”
Tuesday April 22nd – Sharon Osbourne weighs in
Sharon Osbourne criticised the band on X and called for Kneecap’s US Visas to be revoked.
“At a time when the world is experiencing significant unrest, music should serve as an escape, not a stage for political discourse,” Osbourne said to many laughable howls around the world.
Wednesday April 23rd – Kneecap respond through Rolling Stone
Mo Chara tells Rolling Stone they have spoken up about Palestine ‘at every single gig since the band’s formation, long before October 2023 as the oppression and brutal occupation of Palestine has been ongoing for 77 years”.
“We believe we have an obligation to use our platform when we can to raise the issue of Palestine, and it was important for us to speak out at Coachella as the USA is the main funder and supplier of weapons to Israel as they commit genocide in Gaza.
“As I said from the stage, ‘The U.S. government could stop the genocide tomorrow.’ It’s important that young Americans hear and know it.”
In response to Osbourne’s comments, Mo Chara said:
“Her rant has so many holes in it that it hardly warrants a reply, but she should listen to ‘War Pigs’ that was written by Black Sabbath,” referring to the song written by her husband Ozzy Osbourne’s band.
“Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerer of death’s construction
In the fields, the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds
Oh, Lord, yeah”
Wednesday April 23rd – Kneecap’s manager on RTE Radio
The band’s manager Daniel Lambert, who is also the Operating Officer (COO) of Bohemians FC and previously worked in the UN, talks to Sarah McInerney on RTE Radio 1 about the controversy and articulately responds to criticism
Some key highlights below:
Sarah McInerney: Can you understand why some people were offended [by the anti-Israel messaging]?
Lambert: I think that once you move into that space, you’re you’re you’re buying into moral hysteria. The real issue here is that somewhere between 50,0000 and 100,000 people have been murdered – 20,000 of them are children. And you know, if somebody is offended by what were factual images, and what was said on the screens, and I’m happy to tell you what was said on the screens, is that Israel is committing a genocide against the people of Palest Ireland supports the case that South Africa’s taken. So Ireland supports that position. The second thing that was said on the screens was that this genocide has been armed and enabled by the US government and I don’t think that anybody could deny that. So you know if somebody’s hurt by the truth that’s something for them to be hurt by but it’s really important to to say to to speak truth and thankfully the lads are not afraid to do that.”
Lambert: I think that to the band’s massive credit, there’s three working-class young people here who’ve built a career for themselves on the basis of the Irish language and music and culture and identity. And they have the bravery and the conviction especially given where they’ve come from in a post-conflict society to stand up for what’s right and are willing to do that to despite the fact that it may harm their career, despite the fact that it may harm their income and they should be praised uh you know massively for that. It’s an extremely strong position for young people to take, especially young people from a working-class background.
McInerney: You’ll have seen Sharon Osborne calling for your US visas to be revoked. The Trump administration we know from the last couple of months arecracking down really hard on anyone who’s expressing pro Palestine views. Do you have any concern you have any trouble getting into the US or that your US visas might be revoked?
Lambert: But again we’re talking about like the opinion of Sharon Osborne and again it was said by by Miss Abanese [Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories] on your programme or on a similar programme. Why aren’t we talking about the opinion of someone like Omer Bartov who’s an Israeli American genocide expert who concludes that Israel’s committing genocide? Why should we care what Sharon Osbourne thinks. I certainly don’t.
McInerney: No, sorry. It’s not really about whether she’s right or wrong. I’m just wondering whether you have concerns about getting into the US in future and aside from Sharon Osborne altogether, but the Trump administration, you know, they’ve sent out a very clear message about where they stand on this and and they’ve done that with their actions on on pro Palestine protesters in the US. So, like, have you had any indication at all that there may be problems? Are you concerned there may be problems getting back into the US?
Lambert: Our concern is for the well-being of of Palestinian kids,and the tens of thousands of Palestinians and millions of Palestinians who now have no home and are being bombed daily. That’s that’s where people’s concern should lie.
McInerney: Can I ask you finally, Daniel, you said you’ve had a lot of very positive messages, but and there have also been criticisms and some of some of the charges that have been made against Kneecap since the performance. That the band posted solidarity with Palestine the day after the October 7th attacks. People have been critical of that. That nd also that you’ve promoted both Hamas and Hezbollah. Hamas of course in its charter talks about the annihilation of Jews. I wanted I wanted to know did you want to respond to those charges?
Lambert: No. Again, we’ve openly had Israeli government ministers talk about starving a population, cutting food, cutting water. Like these are the issues that we should be discussing and not other people’s opinions. Like, and you know, we constantly say October 7th, the Palestinians have been under a brutal occupation for 77 years. The office of the UN High Commissioner said last week that since the creation of the state of Israel, violations of international law and lack of accountability have been the norm rather than the exception. That we can somehow frame things in a narrow window is again nonsensical. These are issues the Palestinians have faced for decades and Ireland has an obligation to prevent these measures and us along with all of our EU counterparts and the rest of the world are doing nothing.
Wednesday April 23rd – Footage from Kneecap gigs investigated by UK anti-counter terrorism police.
Kneecap appear to have given their support to Hamas last November in London at their concert @O2ForumKTown. One member, draped in a Hezbollah flag, shouted to the crowd "up Hamas, up Hezbollah".
— Danny Morris (@DannyMMorris) April 21, 2025
Watch below 🎥 pic.twitter.com/DidT6IxulE
The Metropolitan Police said it had become aware of a video showing Kneecap performing at Kentish Town Forum in London in November 2024 that appears to show Kneecap band member Mo Chara shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”, and allegedly draped in a a Hezbollah flag.
Both organisations are proscribed terror organisations, and it is an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 to “invite support for a proscribed organisation”.The police said it has referred the video to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit.
Kneecap in response shared Waterford Whispers’ fake headline highlighting the hypocrisy of the controversy:
Some facts 👇 pic.twitter.com/hoVZrqg1hl
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 24, 2025
Friday April 25th – Kneecap part ways with US booker
In the fallout of their Coachella performance, their US booker Independent Artist Group (IAG) parted ways with the band according to the Hollywood Reporter.
That suggests, the booking agent were pressured by other festivals and promoters, or other acts they worked with to drop the band or they would face consequences and difficulties booking shows for other artists.
That means that IAG, the agency is no longer a sponsor for the band’s U.S. work visas, which raises the question of Kneecap’s visa status to play U.S. shows.
Kneecap is represented by Primary Talent outside the US.
The band have a sold out US tour coming in October but will need to now find another booking agent to sponsor their work visas, which are not of insignificant cost.
Friday April 25th – “We have faced a coordinated smear campaign”
The band put out another statement, saying there is a co-ordinated smear campaign.
Since our statements at Coachella — exposing the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people — we have faced a coordinated smear campaign.
For over a year, we have used our shows to call out the British and Irish governments’ complicity in war crimes.
The recent attacks against us, largely emanating from the US, are based on deliberate distortions and falsehoods. We are taking action against several of these malicious efforts.
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 weaponize false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide.
We do not give a f*ck what religion anyone practices. We know there are massive numbers of Jewish people outraged by this genocide just as we are.
What we care about is that governments of the countries we perform in are enabling some of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes — and we will not stay silent.
No media spin will change this.
Our only concern is the Palestinian people — the 20,000 murdered children and counting. 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. – Kneecap
KNEECAP STATEMENT:
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 25, 2025
Since our statements at Coachella — exposing the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people — we have faced a coordinated smear campaign.
For over a year, we have used our shows to call out the British and Irish governments' complicity in war crimes.… pic.twitter.com/mBojb5QBOP
Sunday April 27th – “Kill your local MP” – Counter terrorism police investigate second Kneecap live video
"The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP!”
— Phil (@icedcoffee) April 27, 2025
This is incitement to violence.
If you still support Kneecap in any way you are a problem.pic.twitter.com/8IUiSkRKx4
Sky News reports that UK counter-terror police investigating second Kneecap video from 2023.
The footage is from a show from November 2023 where one of the Kneecap trio allegedly said to the crowd: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
The Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit said it is”assessing” both clips of Kneecap referred to them to “determine whether further police investigation is required”.
Monday April 29th – Taoiseach urges clarification / UK politicians call for band to be removed from festivals
Politicians call for Kneecap to be removed from Glastonbury and TRNSMT‘s 2025 line-ups following the counter-terror investigation referrals.
Labour MP David Taylor shared a letter addressed to Michael Eavis, requesting the Worthy Farm festival remove them from the line-up.
I've written to @glastonbury urging them to remove Kneecap based on their alleged behaviour and the widely reported footage.
— David Taylor MP (@DavidTaylor85) April 28, 2025
Allegedly calling for the murder of colleagues is abhorrent, I stand in solidarity with MPs from across the House.
Violence has no place in politics. pic.twitter.com/Zn4MhHeTUA
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has called for Kneecap to be removed from the line-up of Glasgow’s TRNSMT.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it is “important” the band clarifies its position. “Have they, or do they, support Hamas and Hizbullah? Because that would be unacceptable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kneecap are no longer playing two German festivals – Hurricane and Southside.
Tuesday April 29th – Kneecap apologise to families of MPs
Kneecap have today put out a statement in an attempt to clarify their stance on Hamas and Hezbollah and apologises to the families of MPs David Amess (who was murdered in 2021) and Jo Cox (who was murdered in 2016)
“Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history.
We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.
This distortion is not only absurd – it is a transparent effort to derail the real conversation.”
To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt.
The statement in full:
They want you to believe words are more harmful than genocide.
Establishment figures, desperate to silence us, have combed through hundreds of hours of footage and interviews, extracting a handful of words from months or years ago to manufacture moral hysteria.
Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history.
We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.
This distortion is not only absurd – it is a transparent effort to derail the real conversation.
All two million Palestinian people in Gaza are currently being starved to death by Israel.
At least 20,000 children in Gaza have been killed. The British government continues to supply arms to Israel, even after scores of NHS doctors warned Keir Starmer in August that children were being systematically executed with sniper shots to the head.
Instead of defending innocent people or the principles of international law, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine.
This is where real anger and outrage should be directed towards.
To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt.
Kneecap’s message has always been — and remains — one of love, inclusion, and hope. This is why our music resonates across generations, countries, classes and cultures and has brought hundreds of thousands of people to our gigs.
No smear campaign will change that.
Suddenly, days after calling out the US administration at Coachella to applause and solidarity, there is an avalanche of outrage and condemnation by the political classes of Britain.
The real crimes are not in our performances; the real crimes are the silence and complicity of those in power.
Shame on them.
