Kneecap have been banned from Hungary for three years, government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs shared on X. Kovacs claimed that the Irish rappers have “repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups.” He also said that the trio’s planned performance at Budapest’s Sziget Festival “posed a national security threat.”
Kneecap responded to the ban with a statement shared on social media. They apologized to fans who had anticipated seeing them at Sziget, and they also criticized Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, for recently hosting Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for a visit.
“There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country,” the band wrote. “We stand against all ahte crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices where we see it.”
Kneecap also called the ban a “political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.”
Sziget representatives called the ban “an unprecedented move which we believe is both unnecessary and regrettable.” They also wrote, “Following concerns raised by Government and pressure groups across Hungary over the past weeks at the prospect of Kneecap performing, we have liaised closely with the band and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Sziget’s values or Hungarian law.”
The representatives continued, “Sziget Festival‘s values mean we condemn hate speech, while guaranteeing the fundamental right to artistic freedom of expression for every performer. Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution.”
Kneecap, who had been due to perform on Sziget’s final day, Monday, August 11, have faced increased scrutiny over their stance on Israel amid the country’s ongoing assault of Gaza. One of the group’s members, Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offense in London allegedly displaying the Hezbollah flag during a 2024 concert. Chara was granted unconditional bail at a court appearance last month, and Kneecap have said they do not support Hezbollah or Hamas.
Following the charge against Chara, Kneecap were removed from Scotland’s TRNSMT music festival “due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event.” Kneecap were later investigated by police over their Glastonbury performance, but no charges were filed.
