Irish-language rap group Kneecap has been spectacularly banned from Hungary for three years and denied entry for their Sziget Festival performance, with the government citing “national security” risks, “antisemitic hate speech,” and “open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah” in a move condemned by festival organizers but backed by hundreds of Hungarian cultural figures.
In a highly controversial move that has ignited a fierce debate over artistic freedom and national security, the Belfast-based Irish-language rap group Kneecap has been denied entry to Hungary and banned for three years, effectively cancelling their highly anticipated performance at the Sziget Festival on August 11.
Hungary’s National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing deemed the presence of the trio – Naoise Ó Cairealláin, J.J. Ó Dochartaigh, and Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh – a “serious threat to national security.” Government spokesman Zoltán Kovács explicitly stated that the ban was based on “antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah.”
Kneecap is renowned for its provocative, politically charged lyrics and outspoken anti-Israel messaging, which has repeatedly landed them in controversy. At April’s Coachella Festival, the group controversially projected a large “F–k Israel. Free Palestine.” banner onstage while accusing Israel of “genocide” in Gaza – a display witnessed by the event’s 125,000 attendees and a significant Twitch audience. Further escalating their notoriety, in December, Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh was reportedly charged under terrorism legislation in London for displaying a Hezbollah flag during a performance.
Hungarian Minister for European Affairs János Bóka, in a strong letter to Sziget organizers on July 11, underscored the government’s “zero-tolerance” approach to antisemitism, directly pressuring the festival to drop the group. This stance was bolstered by a petition signed by dozens of Hungarian cultural figures who backed the ban.
Despite the government’s firm stance, Sziget Festival organizers have condemned the decision as “unnecessary and regrettable,” warning that it could severely damage both Sziget’s reputation and Hungary’s international standing. While reaffirming their own rejection of all hate speech, they stressed that “cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution” and reiterated their unwavering commitment to artistic freedom.
Kneecap, for their part, has consistently defended their political position, denying any support for militant organizations and accusing critics of conflating their vehement opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza with an endorsement of extremist groups. This dramatic saga highlights the increasingly complex intersection of music, politics, and international relations.
