The Trump administration confirmed Monday that it is working to prevent rap duo Bob Vylan from entering the United States after they called for the death of Israel Defense Forces members at the Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom over the weekend.
With the group scheduled to perform in the U.S. later this year, Leo Terrell, the head of the Department of Justice‘s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, told the Washington Examiner that his team is partnering with the State Department to deny entry to those who “incite violent antisemitic behavior.”
“The DOJ Task Force to Combat Antisemitism will work with the U.S. State Department to deny entry into the United States of performers who incite violent antisemitic behavior,” Terrell said.
The duo rallied the U.K. crowd to cheer “Free, free Palestine,” before one member prompted the crowd to chant, “death, death to the IDF.” The clip of the chant circulated online and caught the attention of Terrell, the assistant attorney general for civil rights.
Antisemitism watchdog organization Stop Antisemitism pointed out that Bob Vylan will be touring in Boston and New York City in November as part of their Inertia tour. The watchdog posted on X that “this antisemite must have his visa denied/rescinded” and tagged Terrell, to which he responded, “Noted!”
“Leo Terrell, Chair of the DOJ Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, strongly condemns the antisemitic chants made by Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival,” Terrell wrote in a statement. “These abhorrent chants, which included calls for the death of members of the Israeli Defense Forces, are abhorrent and have no place in any civil society. We understand that Mr. Vylan is planning to travel to the United States as part of the Inertia Tour. In response, Mr. Terrell’s Task Force will be reaching out to the U.S. Department of State on Monday to determine what measures are available to address the situation and to prevent the promotion of violent antisemitic rhetoric in the United States.”
Because the BBC broadcast the performance, the outlet issued a statement of regret for allowing the “antisemitic” chant on its livestream.
“The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves,” the BBC said.
Additionally, the Glastonbury Festival issued a statement claiming it was “appalled” by the comments.
“Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence,” the statement said of Bob Vylan.
DEATH THREAT TO IDF CHANTED AT GLASTONBURY MUSIC FESTIVAL PROMPTS ONLINE OUTRAGE
Since the clip circulated online, the Avon and Somerset Police Departments told the Associated Press they will review the footage “to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.” As of Monday morning, the member in question, Pascal Robinson-Foster, has yet to face charges.
Terrell has headed the antisemitism task force since it was created in February. The task force’s first act under President Donald Trump’s executive order on measures to combat antisemitism centered on schools and college campuses.