Antisemitism is hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jewish people simply because they are Jewish. It can manifest in various forms — from conspiracy theories and hateful stereotypes to vandalism, violence, or incitement to genocide. It includes blaming Jews for societal issues, denying or trivialising the Holocaust, or calling for the destruction of Israel in ways that target Jews collectively.

According to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), antisemitism includes “calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.” That’s why chants like “Death to the IDF,” especially in emotionally charged public settings, are seen by many as crossing into hate speech — particularly when they echo centuries-old patterns of blaming Jews for military or political conflict.

The Israeli embassy described the Glastonbury chant as “inflammatory and hateful,” and the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) confirmed it will file a formal complaint. Political leaders echoed the concern: Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer labelled it “appalling hate speech,” while Equalities Minister Jacqui Smith said it “clearly overstepped the line.”

Critics point out that there is a critical difference between criticising Israeli policy and calling for violence. “You can challenge a government without chanting for death,” one rabbi said. “When you call for the death of Israelis — many of whom are Jewish — you’re no longer in the realm of protest. You’re fuelling ancient hatreds.”

Bob Vylan, who has since been dropped by United Talent Agency, responded to the backlash with a defiant Instagram post, insisting: “I said what I said,” and calling on younger generations to speak out for justice.

Meanwhile, police are reviewing footage of both Bob Vylan’s and Kneecap’s performances to assess whether criminal offences may have taken place.

The incident comes amid growing concerns about rising antisemitism in the UK, with watchdog groups noting a surge in antisemitic rhetoric online and at public events since the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians.

As the country reflects on where the line lies between freedom of expression and hate speech, one thing remains clear: antisemitism, in any form, is not just offensive — it’s dangerous.