The Kneecap group evokes the situation in Gaza but avoids controversy

A performance under close surveillance. However, The North Irish trio Kneecap. Similarly, one of the members of which is prosecuted by British justice kneecap group evokes situation gaza for Hezbollah, again criticized Israeli policy in Gaza, Sunday August 24, during a concert at the Rock en Seine festival, where the group’s presence created the controversy.

This one-hour concert was held in front of several thousand people in Saint-Cloud (west of Paris). Consequently, preceded by a controversy on its outfit because this Belfast group has become used to making its shows a forum for the Palestinian cause against the backdrop of war in the Gaza Strip.

« Free, free Palestine ! Therefore, » Thus shouted at the beginning. Similarly, at the end of his show kneecap group evokes situation gaza the group, whose music oscillates between rap and punk, by harangating an enthusiastic crowd where Keffiehs and Irish jerseys were visible.

“We are not against Israel”he also said. In addition, adding: “I know we are angry but we are only here to have fun. Meanwhile, »» During his show. Kneecap still mentioned the situation several times in the Middle East: “Netanyahu is a war criminal” et “If you don’t call it a genocide, what do you call it?” »»he said in particular.

Disengagement from communities

The authorities warned that they were going to have this concert to the eye. One of the three members of the group. Liam O’hanna dit Mo Chara, is indeed prosecuted for “Terrorist offense” After having covered, during a concert in London in 2024, of a Hezbollah flag. This pro-Iranian Lebanese Islamist movement, a sworn enemy of Israel, is classified terrorist kneecap group evokes situation gaza in the United Kingdom. Supported by hundreds of supporters. Mo Chara appeared on Wednesday in the British capital and then left, the decision being adjourned on September 26.

These judicial adventures do not prevent Kneecap from continuing his closed window tour. as in Glastonbury at the end of June, where he had accused Israel of being a State “War criminal”. On the other hand. it was deprived of the Sziget festival in Budapest, after a ban on entry into the territory rendered by the Hungarian government, close to Israel.

“We have the assurance that the group will be held completely correctly”had explained to the agency France-Presse (AFP) Matthieu Ducos. director of Rock en Seine, a few days before the opening of the festival. “It is a group which remains relatively confidential in France but which has gained a lot in notoriety in recent times. for very good artistic reasons, but also all this controversy which made it gained enormously in visibility and fans”he added.

In this context, the city of Saint-Cloud withdrew its subsidy from 40,000 euros to Rock en Seine, a first. The Ile-de-France Region also canceled its aid for the 2025 edition. The subsidy amounted to 295,000 euros in 2024, to which are added 150,000 euros in indirect aid through the purchase of tickets. However. the disengagement of these communities does not involve the viability of the festival, whose budget is between 16 million kneecap group evokes situation gaza and 17 million euros this year.

Kneecap group evokes situation gaza

Undessional concerts in France

A France. Kneecap – “Kingdom” In English, reference to the practice of the paramilitary militias which drove in the knees of their victims during the North Irish conflict-has already occurred twice this summer. Their concerts at the Eurockéennes de Belfort in early July. the Green Cabaret in Charleville-Mézières in mid-August took place without incident but votes have been raised to request their deprogramming in Saint-Cloud.

“They desecrate the memory of the 50 French victims of Hamas on October 7 as of all the French victims of Hezbollah”had denounced on X Yonathan Arfi. president of the representative council of Jewish institutions in France.

The Minister of the Interior. Bruno Retailleau, had said that vigilance would be in line with “Any anti -Semitic, apology for terrorism or calling for hatred”.

Rock kneecap group evokes situation gaza en Seine is detained by the American giant of the Tours AEG. Combat, group of the French businessman Matthieu Pigasse, who sees in the presence of Kneecap an issue of “Freedom of creation and expression”. “We must not accept the principle of censorship because. otherwise, it is a wave that will surge on festivals and on the media”he said to the musical media Billboard France.