Kamal Ghorui
The Metropolitan Police Service has launched an investigation after controversial chants of “death, death to the IDF” were led by rapper Bobby Vylan, of the punk duo Bob Vylan, during an Al-Quds Day protest in central London on Sunday.Videos circulating online appeared to show the musician, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, addressing demonstrators before repeating the chant, which members of the crowd then echoed.Police said they were aware of the footage and would examine whether the remarks crossed the legal threshold for criminal action. The force noted that similar chants in the past had been reviewed with the Crown Prosecution Service but were deemed to lack sufficient evidence for prosecution.Authorities said they recognised the concern such chants may cause, particularly among London’s Jewish communities.
Investigation after Al-Quds Day protest
The incident occurred during the annual Al-Quds Day demonstration, a pro-Palestinian event traditionally held near the end of Ramadan to show solidarity with Palestinians.Hundreds gathered for a static protest in central London after the UK government approved a police request to ban the usual march over fears of public disorder.Around 1,000 officers were deployed to manage the protest and a counter-demonstration. Police said 12 people were arrested on suspicion of offences including support for a proscribed organisation, affray, dangerous driving and threatening or abusive behaviour.Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said the restrictions appeared to limit turnout and helped prevent clashes between the two sides.The chant has previously drawn scrutiny after a performance by Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival in 2025, where the rapper led a similar “death to the IDF” chant on stage during a set broadcast live by the BBC.At the time, Avon and Somerset Police opened an investigation but later concluded that the evidence did not meet the threshold required for criminal prosecution.
Counter-protests and tensions
Sunday’s protest was accompanied by a counter-demonstration on the north bank of the River Thames, where several groups gathered to oppose the rally.Participants waved Israeli flags and held signs condemning Hamas, while campaign groups argued that the annual event promotes hostility toward Jewish communities.Police said keeping the protests static made it easier to separate the opposing groups and avoid serious public disorder.
Bob Vylan: The duo behind the controversy
Bob Vylan is a British punk-rap duo formed in 2017, consisting of vocalist-guitarist Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan (Wade Laurence George).The group blends punk, hip-hop, grime and reggae, and is known for politically charged lyrics addressing racism, inequality, police brutality and anti-establishment themes.Despite acclaim within alternative music circles, the duo have frequently attracted controversy for provocative performances and outspoken political messaging.Their albums, including We Live Here (2020), Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life (2022) and Humble as the Sun (2024), have won recognition at events such as the Kerrang! Awards and the MOBO Awards, cementing their reputation as one of the UK’s most talked-about punk acts.
