Irish rap trio Kneecap have confronted backlash from components of the Jewish neighborhood and celebrities like Sharon Osbourne following their sturdy pro-Palestine, anti-Israel messaging throughout each weekends of Coachella. Now, the group has launched a press release alleging that they’ve confronted a “smear marketing campaign” for his or her efforts.
“Since our statements at Coachella — exposing the continuing genocide in opposition to the Palestinian individuals — we now have confronted a coordinated smear marketing campaign,” their assertion reads. “For over a 12 months, we now have used our exhibits to name out the British and Irish governments’ complicity in warfare crimes.”
Kneecap added that they’re already taking motion in opposition to these “malicious efforts,” which they state are “largely emanating from the US” and based mostly on “deliberate distortions and falsehoods.”
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The assertion continues:
“The rationale Kneecap is being focused is straightforward — we’re telling the reality, and our viewers is rising. These attacking us wish to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponize false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and supply cowl for genocide.
We don’t give a f*ck what faith anybody practices. We all know there are huge numbers of Jewish individuals outraged by this genocide simply as we’re. What we care about is that governments of the international locations we carry out in are enabling among the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes — and we is not going to keep silent.
No media spin will change this.
Our solely concern is the Palestinian individuals — the 20,000 murdered kids and counting.
The younger individuals at our gigs see by means of the lies.
They stand on the aspect of humanity and justice.
And that provides us nice hope.
Kneecap ❤️
It’s unclear whether or not this assertion is expounded to Kneecap lately parting methods with their reserving company, Impartial Artist Group, a transfer that would affect their means to play US exhibits (IAG reportedly sponsored the group’s work visas).
As a refresher, Kneecap led “Free Palestine” and anti-Margaret Thatcher chants throughout the first weekend of Coachella that had been lower from the official livestream. They doubled down throughout their weekend two efficiency by bringing out streamer Hasan Piker to broadcast their protest and displaying, “Fuck Israel, free Palestine” on the screens behind them.
“Israel is committing genocide in opposition to the Palestinian individuals,” one other message learn on their stage screens. “It’s being enabled by the US authorities who arm and fund Israel regardless of their warfare crimes.”
Kneecap member Mo Chara additionally gave a speech during which he stated, “The Palestinians have nowhere to go, it’s their fucking residence they usually’re bombing them from the skies. If you happen to’re not calling it a genocide what the fuck are you calling it?” He then led a “Free, free Palestine” chant.
Following the second Coachella efficiency, teams just like the pro-Israel nonprofit Artistic Group for Peace criticized pageant organizer Goldenvoice, and it was reported that CEO Paul Tollett was “blindsided” by the incident.
Celebrities like Disturbed’s David Draiman and Sharon Osbourne spoke out in opposition to Kneecap’s actions, with the latter calling for the revocation of their work visas. Responding to Osbourne, Mo Chara identified that his group has constantly stood with Palestine since its formation and urged her to hearken to Black Sabbath’s “Conflict Pigs.”