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Only weeks after Hungary barred them for allegedly constituting a national security risk, the Irish collective Kneecap delivered a statement to their supporters at this summer’s Sziget Festival.
On July 24, 2025, Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács announced that the group’s planned August 11 performance would be cancelled. He imposed a three-year ban, accusing Kneecap of “antisemitic rhetoric” and praising terrorist organizations. “Hungary maintains zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form,” Kovács affirmed.
“Kneecap’s members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups. Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.”
Characterizing the ban as a “political distraction” aimed at silencing critics of genocide against the Palestinian people, Kneecap chose instead to address the “tens of thousands of fans” they had been eager to meet in Budapest.
On August 11, the band posted on social media inviting festivalgoers to the Buzz Stage at 11:05 pm to watch a special video message. Later shared on Instagram, it opened with defiance: “We were banned from Hungary for three years to prevent us playing Sziget and speaking against genocide. Fuck Viktor Orbán.”
They continued: “We wish we could be there with you at one of the best festivals in the world and the first European festival Kneecap ever played. We can’t because of one hate-filled man. Viktor Orbán.”
“We have been convicted of zero crimes anywhere,” the group asserted. “But we will call out oppression. For daring to speak out against Israel’s genocidal campaign, Viktor has banned us from your beautiful country for three years. Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people, and Viktor Orbán and his government support it.”
Concluding their message, Kneecap urged unity: “Viktor Orbán and his government tried to shut down Pride in Budapest—they failed. We must stand together: oppose Orbán, oppose Israel, oppose genocide; Free Palestine.”
This ban follows a series of high-profile controversies for the trio, whose performances have increasingly raised anti-Israel sentiments. In April, they appeared at Coachella, claiming edits muted their political remarks. In June, their Glastonbury set sparked further debate, and they were later removed from Scotland’s TRNSMT Festival lineup.
Additionally, member Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) is facing legal scrutiny in the U.K. after videos surfaced showing him allegedly endorsing Hamas and Hezbollah—both proscribed under British law. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18, released on unconditional bail, with a further hearing set for August 20, 2025.
