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Frontman Bobby Vylan’s chants of “Death, death, to the I.D.F.” and “Free, free palestine” did “not meet the criminal threshold” for prosecution, authorities acknowledged

Police in England is now not going to carry charges in opposition to Bob Vylan following an investigation into the punk-rap duo’s chants of “Loss of life, demise, to the I.D.F.” (relating to the Israel Defense Forces) and “Free, free Palestine” at the 2025 Glastonbury Competition.

The Avon and Somerset Constabulary in England announced the halt of its investigation on Tuesday, Dec. 23.

“We salvage now concluded, after reviewing all of the proof, that [the chant] does now not meet the prison threshold outlined by the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] for any particular person to be prosecuted,” the police acknowledged. “No extra action will be taken on the premise there would possibly be insufficient proof for there to be a pragmatic prospect of conviction.”

The police shared some facts about the investigation, asserting they consulted with the CPS, one other police force, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s detest crimes division, an impartial approved first payment, and representatives “amongst our Jewish communities.” They moreover printed that they “conducted a voluntary police interview” with a particular person in his mid-thirties in November (though he used to be now not identified), and spoke with about 200 folks that had attended the festival. 

“We sought express consideration across the words said, by manner of the intent within the abet of them, the wider context of how folks heard what used to be acknowledged, case law and the relaxation potentially relevant, along with freedom of speech,” the police acknowledged. “Every case must always quiet be treated by itself merits.”

Bob Vylan did now not at as soon as return Rolling Stone‘s are anticipating for commentary.

Bob Vylan frontman, Bobby Vylan (proper name Pascal Robinson-Foster) led the chants all the device by the band’s efficiency at Glastonbury on June 28. Condemnation and accusations of antisemitism snappy adopted, as Glastonbury organizers denounced the chant, the United States revoked the band’s hurry visas, and diversified gala’s began losing Bob Vylan from their lineups. The police investigation began in July.

The band, long supporters of Palestine, stood by the chants and denied the allegations of antisemitism. In an initial Instagram submit, Bobby Vylan wrote, “I acknowledged what I acknowledged,” adding that he had received “messages of both give a boost to and hatred.”

In July, the band issued an announcement declaring a restful stance. “We’re now not for the demise of Jews, Arabs, or any diversified speed or community of folks. We’re for the dismantling of a violent defense force machine. A machine whose possess squaddies had been advised to exhaust ‘unnecessary lethal force’ in opposition to innocent civilians awaiting abet. A machine that has destroyed grand of Gaza. We, love these within the highlight earlier than us, need to now not the legend. We’re a distraction from the legend. And no subject sanctions we receive will be a distraction.”

The resolution to halt the investigation comes months after Avon and Somerset authorities announced it used to be ending an investigation into same feedback at the same festival from the Irish trio Kneecap attributable to “insufficient proof to possess a pragmatic prospect of conviction for any offence.”