— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL)
April 23, 2025
The group seemingly endorse the statement, adding the caption “this” with an emoji pointing at the quoted tweet.
The Belfast-based hip-hop trio, known for its vehement Irish republicanism and pro-Palestinian advocacy, has gained prominence in recent years, in part for their heavily politicised lyrics. They were interviewed by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for his Peace and Justice Project in 2023 and starred in a biopic about the band last year.
However, the group has also generated controversy for its members comments, particularly around Israel. It drew international attention after projecting the slogan “f*** Israel, free Palestine” above its set at the popular Coachella festival this month.
Members of the group have also accused Israel of genocide, waved the Hezbollah flag on stage and posed for a photo with a book written by the group’s late leader Hassan Nasrallah.
It comes after the Metropolitan Police confirmed that it had referred the group to its Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit. The referral is understood to relate to a video allegedly showing one of the members of the trio shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” during a performance in London last year and not related to the tweet.
Both Hamas and Hezbollah are proscribed terrorist organisations under UK law, and the Terrorism Act 2000 makes it an offence to invite support for such groups.
A spokesperson for the Met said: “We have been made aware of the video today (April 22) and it has been referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.”
The video, as well as the band’s Coachella performance, have led to condemnation from leading and public figures. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Kneecap of “openly glorifying evil terror groups,” while music mogul Sharon Osbourne urged US authorities to revoke the group’s right to work in the country.
Despite their declared opposition to the UK, the band previously secured £14,250 in British taxpayer funding via the Music Export Growth Scheme after the government opted not to challenge their legal case for the grant. The funding had initially been blocked by Badenoch during her time as business secretary but the Labour government declined to contest the claim.
The JC understands that final legal costs are still being worked out, but could see the band handed up to £90,000 of taxpayer cash. Kneecap is also scheduled to perform at Glastonbury later this year.
The band has not released any official statement regarding the police referral but did respond by sharing an article from an Irish satire magazine, seemingly in reference to the decision. The article was entitled “18 months of genocide footage not under investigation by UK Counter-Terror Police” and the group captioned the posted, saying: “Some facts”.
The article in question states: “His Majesty’s counter-terrorism unit rightly put aside any interest in the terror offences related to the murder of over 50,000 Palestinians, many killed by weapons supplied by the UK government in return for lucrative arms deals, instead springing into action over complaints made on social media about a concert.”
It also cited an unnamed “source” as saying: “Look, it’s easier to criminalise a rap group than to confront a genocide, especially when the bombs bear your own flag.”
The JC has contacted Kneecap’s representatives for comment.
