Bob Vylan's Position on Festival Israel Defense Forces Chant: "Zero Regrets"

The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Responses

This vocal music pair ignited significant debate when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. The chant was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the artists' visas, compelling the duo to call off a planned North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his first interview since the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some rightwing official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Comments

This musician said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later determined that the BBC's airing of the performance breached editorial guidelines in relation to harm and offence.

He told the host there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the politics of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being killed at an alarming rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance led to a spike in antisemitic events recorded two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of people acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Artists

As he said he felt the duo had been targeted more severely than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish band another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "because as with everything ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the enemy."