Massive Attack Calls on Media to Focus on Gaza Crisis Over Bob Vylan Glastonbury Controversy

Massive Attack urges media and the BBC to shift attention from Bob Vylan's Glastonbury controversy to the ongoing daily suffering of Gaza's people.

Massive Attack Speaks Out Amid Glastonbury Controversy

Massive Attack, the iconic Bristol trip-hop group, has made a powerful plea to the media to prioritize coverage of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza rather than the uproar surrounding Bob Vylan’s recent incendiary performance at Glastonbury Festival.

Over the weekend, Bob Vylan sparked intense debate with their politically charged set at Glastonbury, which included chants calling for the liberation of Palestine and condemning various governments and institutions such as the BBC, Israel, the US, and the UK. The duo also displayed slogans behind them proclaiming: “Free Palestine – United Nations have called it a genocide – the BBC calls it a ‘conflict’.”

This bold display led to severe backlash — their US visas were revoked, their agent dropped them, and a criminal investigation was launched by Somerset police. Even the UK’s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy criticized the BBC’s decision to livestream the set, citing a “problem of leadership.”

Massive Attack Urges Media to Reconsider Priorities

Massive Attack responded to requests from various outlets about the controversy with a statement on Instagram, emphasizing the need for media to concentrate on “what is happening daily to the people of Gaza” rather than focusing on what musicians say or do on stage.

“Today, a hot day when 22 Palestinians (including journalists) sat in a seafront café were murdered by one Israeli bomb, various national media outlets have contacted us (again) to ask our view of something a musician said,” the band wrote.

They continued by highlighting the ongoing horror faced by Palestinians in Gaza for over 600 days, describing it as “unprecedented & insufferable horror” that is broadcast into homes worldwide but seemingly ignored by those in power.

“For 636 days now, unprecedented & insufferable horror has been recorded by the brutalised communities of Gaza and shown to us on our phone and television screens. It will not stop. No one, it seems, will stop it,” Massive Attack stated.

The band criticized the lack of “objective journalism and any moral leadership from government,” noting that this void has fueled “a sense of acute frustration, deep sadness and rage amongst a majority of the British public.”

They urge the BBC and other media outlets to redirect their resources to “reporting the truth of what is happening, daily, to the people of Gaza” and to critically explain the inaction of Western governments, including the UK.

Massive Attack's Longstanding Support for Palestine

Massive Attack has a history of advocating for Palestinian rights. They have boycotted performances in Israel since 1999 and have openly supported other artists who face backlash for their political views.

Earlier this year, Massive Attack spoke in support of Kneecap, an Irish group subjected to calls for cancellation due to their pro-Palestine stance. When Kneecap’s member Mo Chara faced legal scrutiny over alleged terror charges relating to comments about Palestine, Massive Attack reminded the public that “Gaza is the story. Genocide is the story.”

Their defense of artistic freedom extends to Bob Vylan as well, who have emphasized the importance of “teaching our children to speak up for the change they want” and clarified that their messages are about dismantling violent military systems—not calling for harm against any race or group.

Artists United Against Media Focus on Controversy

Massive Attack, alongside artists such as Dua Lipa, Primal Scream, Benedict Cumberbatch, Pulp, Fontaines D.C., IDLES, and Paul Weller, signed open letters urging UK leadership to end complicity in the Gaza conflict. These letters highlighted the urgent need for political and societal action rather than focusing on divisive headlines about musicians.

The band’s recent headline set at London’s LIDO Festival further showcased their commitment to activism, featuring appearances from actor and activist Khalid Abdalla to raise awareness for Gaza.

Massive Attack Addresses Misinterpretations and Defends Artistic Context

The band also responded firmly to accusations from an Israeli influencer accusing them of incitement after they displayed footage of the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during a performance. They clarified that isolating such footage “from the artistic context within which it sits” is a deliberate distortion designed to mislead.

The Wider Media and Political Reaction

In the wake of Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set, the BBC admitted it should have pulled the live coverage, and Ofcom is treating the issue with urgency. Glastonbury organizers expressed being “appalled” by the “death to the IDF” chants, emphasizing that the festival has no tolerance for hate speech or incitement to violence.

This controversy unfolds as the Israeli military investigates allegations of war crimes related to the killing of Palestinian civilians near aid sites in Gaza. Israeli officials have denied these claims, labeling them “malicious falsehoods.”

Final Thoughts

Massive Attack’s call to refocus media and public attention highlights the critical need to move beyond headline-grabbing controversies and address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza with the seriousness it demands.

“Given the total ban by Israel on international journalists reporting from Gaza, and the simultaneous murder of hundreds of journalists in Gaza by Israeli forces, Massive Attack would urge the BBC and other media outlets to redirect their considerable news resource to reporting the truth of what is happening, daily, to the people of Gaza.” – Massive Attack

FAQs

• How has Massive Attack shown support for Palestine historically?
  They have boycotted performances in Israel since 1999 and continuously advocate for Palestinian rights through public statements and collaborations.
• What was the controversy around Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set?
  Bob Vylan led chants and displayed slogans supporting Palestine and criticizing governments, which led to visa revocations, a criminal investigation, and public backlash.
• Why does Massive Attack want media to focus on Gaza instead of artists?
  They believe the real story is the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is underreported, while artists raising awareness face disproportionate scrutiny.
• What has been the response from UK authorities about the Glastonbury controversy?
  The BBC admitted a mistake in broadcasting, Ofcom is investigating, and the Culture Secretary acknowledged leadership issues at the BBC.
• Are other artists also supporting the rights of Palestinian musicians and activists?
  Yes, many prominent musicians and actors have signed open letters defending freedom of expression and calling for political action on Gaza.

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