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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Abbi Garton-Crosbie

BBC responds after live streaming Bob Vylan IDF chant

THE BBC have released a statement after they broadcast rap duo Bob Vylan’s anti-Israeli military chant live from Glastonbury.

On Saturday, rapper Bobby Vylan led crowds on the festival’s West Holts Stage in chants of “death, death to the IDF” along with “free, free Palestine”.

The broadcaster said the chants were “antisemitic” and that in “hindsight” it should have pulled the stream during the performance.

“We regret this did not happen,” the BBC said in a statement published on Monday after the festival had concluded.

Police are understood to be assessing footage of Bob Vylan’s performance, as well as Irish rap trip Kneecap during the festival.

Glastonbury bosses said the chants “crossed the line” in a statement put out following a backlash.

And now, the BBC has released a statement addressing the row.

(Image: PA) "Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC's output but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive,” a spokesperson said. 

“The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. We welcome Glastonbury’s condemnation of the performance.

"The performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. The judgment on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines.”

The BBC added that they had not made Bob Vylan’s performance available on iPlayer. 

“The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen,” the spokesperson added.

"In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air."

It comes after festival bosses said they were “appalled” by the statements made by Bob Vylan. 

“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,” Glastonbury Festival said in a statement.

We also told how Avon and Somerset Police said they were assessing videos of comments made by Bob Vylan and Kneecap to determine whether any offences may have been committed.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan’s performance, a UK Government spokesperson confirmed.

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