Kneecap banned from Hungary weeks before major festival

The west Belfast rap group Kneecap have been banned from Hungary for three years, the secretary of state for international communication has said.

In a statement on social media, Zoltan Kovacs said the band members "repeatedly engage in anti-Semitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups".

The band was supposed to perform at the Sziget Festival, in Budapest, in August.

In a statement on social media, Kneecap said: "There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of a crime any country."

Kovacs also 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."

Kneecap have previously said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah.

"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 band said in a statement.

"It's clear this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people."

Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who is known as Mo Chara,appeared in court in June charged with a terror offenceafter allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig.

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them.

He was released on unconditional bail and in a statement, posted on social media in May, Kneecap said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves."

Avon and Somerset Police launched a criminal investigation into comments made on stage by the band after their performance at Glastonbury in June, but decidedno further actionwould be taken.

The question over whether Kneecap should even perform at Glastonbury drew comment over the weeks before the festival, with the prime minister stepping in to say he did not think it was "appropriate".

The band said theywere axed from the TRNSMTmusic festival in Glasgow over police concerns about safety.

Kneecap had faced weeks of controversy over their pro-Palestinian stance, withSharon Osbourne calling for their US visasto be revoked over messages they displayed on stage at Coachella.

Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio whohave courted controversywith their provocative lyrics and merchandise.

The group was formed in 2017 by three musicians who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.

Their rise to fame inspired asemi-fictionalised filmstarring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.

The film won aBritish Academy of Film Award(Bafta) in February 2025.

In April, the groupfaced criticismafter displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella.

In November 2024, the group won its case against the UK government over a decision Kemi Badenoch took when she was a minister towithdraw an arts grant.

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It comes as a consultation is being conducted into controversial water quality measures.

Féile an Phobail, billed as Ireland's biggest community arts festival returns this weekend.

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