Kneecap’s Mo Chara Faces Terror Charge Over Hezbollah Flag Incident

Mo Chara of Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London show.

Mo Chara's Terror Charge Sparks Controversy

Mo Chara, the real name Liam O’Hanna, from the Irish rap group Kneecap, has been charged with a terror offence linked to an incident at a concert in London. The Metropolitan Police investigation alleges that during a performance at the O2 Forum Kentish Town on November 21, 2024, Mo Chara displayed a flag supporting Hezbollah, which is classified as a proscribed organisation in the UK.

He is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 18.

Political Statements and Police Investigation

Earlier, Kneecap had made outspoken political statements supporting Palestine during their Coachella performance, which reportedly caught festival organizers off guard. Following this, UK counter-terror police reviewed footage from that show, where Mo Chara appeared to shout, “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah.” In the UK, publicly supporting Hamas or Hezbollah is considered a criminal offence.

In response to the investigation, Kneecap posted a graphic on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting, “18 Months Of Genocide Footage Not Under Investigation By UK Counter-Terror Police,” captioned simply as “some facts.”

"Some facts 👇"
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 24, 2025

Denials and Context from Kneecap

Mo Chara has not yet entered a plea regarding the charges. The band strongly denies supporting Hamas or Hezbollah and insists they do not incite violence. They claim the video footage has been taken out of context.

On April 28, Kneecap issued a statement saying:
“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.”

Cancelled Shows and Political Fallout

Following the controversy and investigation, several scheduled German appearances at Hurricane Festival and Southside Festival were cancelled. Replacement shows in Hamburg, Cologne, and Berlin planned for summer also got axed. Additionally, the band was dropped from the Eden Project lineup in Cornwall; a replacement show in Plymouth was also cancelled.

The situation escalated with calls from UK MPs for Kneecap to be removed from major festival lineups like TRNSMT and Glastonbury.

Incendiary Lyrics and Public Response

Another point of contention arose when the band reportedly urged fans to “kill their local MP” during a show. This led to condemnation from the Jo Cox Foundation, established in memory of the Labour MP murdered in 2016, as well as the family of the late Conservative MP David Amess, who was also killed.

Kneecap apologized to the families and reiterated that they do not promote violence against MPs.

Kneecap Calls Out Smear Campaign

The band has described the backlash as a “coordinated smear campaign” aimed at undermining their efforts to expose what they term the “ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.”

Support from the Music Community

Kneecap has received an outpouring of support from fellow musicians and advocates of free expression. Artists such as Tom Morello, Brian Eno, Pulp, and Fontaines D.C. have signed an open letter defending freedom of speech. Notably, Massive Attack, known for their long-standing support of Palestine and their boycott of gigs in Israel since 1999, have been vocal supporters of the Irish rap trio.

Engage with the Story

This unfolding story pits questions of free expression, political activism, and legal boundaries against one another. How do you feel about artists using their platforms to make controversial political statements? Is there a line that should not be crossed, or is artistic expression absolute?

FAQs About Mo Chara’s Terror Charge

• What is Mo Chara charged with?
  He is charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert.
• When did the incident take place?
  The alleged incident happened on November 21, 2024, at the O2 Forum Kentish Town.
• What has Kneecap said about these allegations?
  The band denies supporting Hamas or Hezbollah and claims their actions were taken out of context.
• Have any shows been cancelled due to the controversy?
  Yes, several shows in Germany and the UK, including festival appearances, have been cancelled.
• Who has publicly supported Kneecap during this controversy?
  Musicians like Tom Morello, Brian Eno, Pulp, Fontaines D.C., and Massive Attack have shown support.

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