The Irish hip-hop band Kneecap have criticised Hungary’s far-right prime minister, Viktor Orbán, after they were banned from entering the country for three years ahead of a scheduled appearance at a music festival there.
The group, who are outspoken supporters of Palestine, were due to perform at Sziget festival on 11 August. But the Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács said on Thursday they had been banned because their “members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups”.
He said: “Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form. Their planned performance posed a national security threat and, for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.”
Responding in a post on X, the group said: “To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we’re sorry we won’t be with you. The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we ‘pose a national security threat.’ Which is fucking outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago.
“There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices where we see it. It’s clear this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.”
Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including at TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall.
The group – comprising Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh – were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017.
Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was recently charged with a terrorism offence over allegations he displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah.
In May, the Metropolitan police said the group were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing them shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and “kill your local MP”.
The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they had “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK.
They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury festival in June, but last week Avon and Somerset police confirmed they would be taking no further action.
