Bob Vylan hope police decision over Glastonbury set ‘inspires others to speak up’

Punk duo Bob Vylan have said they hope the decision not to bring criminal charges following a police investigation into chants made at Glastonbury Festival “inspires others in the UK and around the world to speak up” about Palestine.

Rapper Bobby Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, led crowds in chants of “death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)” during the duo’s show on the West Holts Stage in June.

Shortly afterwards, the force said a criminal investigation was under way with a senior detective appointed to lead the investigation.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Avon and Somerset Police said: “No further action will be taken on the basis there is insufficient evidential for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction.”

In a statement posted to X on Christmas Eve, Bob Vylan said: “The arrival of the news that no further action will be taken against any member of Bob Vylan regarding our Glastonbury performance in June 2025, should be something we as a band find celebration in.

“But the fact is, the criminal investigation of the chant was never warranted in the first place.

“Over the past 6 months, the media and politicians have consistently attacked us for using our art and platform to take a stand against the actions of Israel and its illegal occupying military force.

“For the past 6 months, Avon and Somerset Police have investigated a small segment of a performance that was evidently not hateful, but was a display of solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

The statement added: “We hope that this news inspires others in the UK and around the world to speak up, and continue speaking up, in support of the Palestinian people, without fear.

“We have had our shows cancelled, visas revoked, our names tarnished and our lives upended, but what we have lost in peace and security, we have gained tenfold in spirit and camaraderie.

“And that is unbreakable.”