https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/sep/19/kneecap-banned-from-canada-for-glorifying-terrorist-organisations

Kneecap banned from Canada for ‘glorifying terrorist organisations’
The Belfast rap trio said they would be taking legal action against the ‘deeply malicious’ allegations

PA Media
Fri 19 Sep 2025 21.22 BST
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The Canadian government has banned rap trio Kneecap from entering the country over allegedly “glorifying terrorist organisations” – with the band announcing they will take legal action against the “wholly untrue and deeply malicious” accusations.

The Belfast group, made up of Naoise Ó Cairealláin, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, are known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise, as well as their pro-Palestine stance.

They have repeatedly hit headlines this year, including in April when footage emerged that appeared to show a band member saying “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at a gig; in June when their Glastonbury festival set was investigated by police who later said they would be taking “no further action”; and when Ó hAnnaidh has appeared in court charged with the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a show.

On Friday, Canada’s parliamentary secretary for combatting crime announced in a video on social media that Kneecap have been deemed ineligible to enter the country.

by Jack_202

20 comments

  3. That is abhorrent in and of itself but why did it have to be in a synagogue. Fuck me what a bad look

  4. Canadian PM Mark Carney has repeatedly expressed his support for Israel, and has refused to acknowledge the proven ongoing genocide being committed by the Israelis in Gaza. I find it very difficult to sympathise with anything he says or thinks regarding this issue. He really is just Trump lite.

  6. We left Belfast in 1975 and came to Canada because of people that glorified terrorists. Go Canada Go.

  12. >glorifying terrorist organiations

    When did Kneecap glorify the IDF?

  14. What happened to you Canada? You used to be cool?

  15. A reminder kneecap have not been found guilty of any criminal charges related to terrorism or support for terrorist organisations. Canada would do well to remember that.

    I thought we lived in a society that believed in innocent until proven guilty?

  16. Canadian here, it’s so fucking stupid considering we let in MAGA musicians (who like, sing actual hate speech) and ppl like Chris Brown who beat women (and men), in happily.

    I emailed my MP about this (very polite and stern) and was blocked when I sent a follow up email. Genuinely weirded out by this behaviour by my government (but not surprised when it is led by a red tory).

  17. legal action? literally just play the judge the video of them chanting their support for hezbollah lmao.

  18. Right Wing cancel culture is the best thing that ever happened these bands. Growing up Rage Against The Machine were the banned band, before them Sex Pistols…before them The Beatles and Stones. When will the righteous prices learn, teenagers love music that you hate.

  20. It seems as if Israel has more influence than such a small country really should have.
    It controls the political narrative in the USA, supposedly the most powerful nation on earth, now Canada follows the Tel Aviv diktats.

    Disappointing. For a small country which was founded specifically to be a refuge for a people who have been persecuted for millennia their leaders seem not to have learned any lessons from history or any humility or humanity.

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