British police have announced they will not pursue charges against the members of the band Bob Vylan regarding anti-Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chants made during their performance at the Glastonbury Festival this summer.
Avon and Somerset Police stated in a release that following a thorough review of all available evidence, they concluded that the threshold for a criminal offense, as defined by the Crown Prosecution Service, had not been met. Therefore, no further action will be taken.
The police acknowledged that the statements made during the performance had “caused widespread offense.” The investigation involved interviewing a man in his mid-30s and contacting approximately 200 members of the public. Ultimately, authorities determined there was insufficient evidence to secure a realistic conviction.
The controversial performance featured chants against the IDF, led by frontman Bobby Vylan, against the backdrop of the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The band’s statements drew widespread condemnation, including criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The Israeli Embassy in London criticized the decision in a post on X. The Community Security Trust, a British Jewish organization, also expressed disappointment with the outcome of the police investigation.
Following their Glastonbury appearance, Bob Vylan issued a statement on Instagram, clarifying their position: “We do not want the death of Jewish people, Arab people, or any race or group of people. We want the dismantling of a violent military machine.”
