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Kneecap and the Palestine Exception

posted on: Jul 9, 2025

Photo : Ralph PH on Wikipedia CC BY 2.0

By: Katie Beason / Arab America Contributing Writer

Following pro-Palestine chants at their concert in Glastonbury, all eyes were on the small Northern Irish hip-hop group called Kneecap. Their activism put their visa application to the US in jeopardy, renewing a decades-long American tradition: the Palestine Exception. 

From Belfast to a World Tour

The Northern Irish hip-hop band Kneecap, formed in 2017, has always performed with politics in mind. Their lyrics are in English and Irish, a language viciously suppressed during the 800 years of British colonial rule on the island of Ireland, and the resurgence of which is motivated by strong pride in the Irish identity. 

Members Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, DJ Próvaí rap about working-class Belfast culture, Irish language revival, and Irish republican ideals. Their activism, which permeates their lyrics, includes the reunification of Ireland with Northern Ireland, Irish‑language rights, and most controversially, a free Palestine. 

Growing up Irish in a centuries-old British settler colony, their passion against imperialism extends to Palestine. They have conducted fundraisers for a gym in the Aida Refugee Camp, as well as for Gaza food packages during their 2024 tour. However, the difference in treatment of their Irish Republicanism and their pro-Palestine advocacy has been stark.

The Satire Precedent 

Kneecap’s criticism of the British empire sometimes includes violent speech. Lead artist Mo Chara was investigated by the UK anti-terrorism task force for a video, in which he said, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” 

Their investigation concluded that Kneecap’s statements were politically-motivated satire and not credible calls for violent action. After determining that Mo Chara and Kneecap’s statements posed no legitimate threat, their case was dropped. 

Unfortunately, this understanding, that their violent speech is a performative rhetorical device, did not extend to their pro-Palestine speech, which has been heavily criticized and policed.

Coachella and Glastonbury

In November 2024, a Hezbollah flag was thrown by an audience member onto the state during one of their concerts. Mo Chara, who picked up the flag, was charged with terrorism, despite statements that he did not know what the flag was and does not support Hezbollah.

In April 2025, the group performed at Coachella, projecting the message “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” and is “enabled by the US.” They also led chants of “Free Palestine.” Fox News and British celebrity Sharon Osborn compared their advocacy to “Nazi Germany.” In response to foreign and domestic pressure, Coachella removed access to the concert’s live stream.

And in June 2025, the group performed at Glastonbury, a UK music festival, in which they gave a shout out to the banned UK group, Palestinian Action Group. The organization was recently designated a terrorist organization, despite significant outcry against the decision. In response, multiple up-coming gigs across Europe were canceled, and the US State Department warned of possible visa scrutiny. Even their 2024 documentary was removed from in-flight entertainment systems.

The Palestine Exception

The State Department’s stance, warning of “possible” visa scrutiny, is representative of the American political apparati’s double standard regarding free speech and Palestine. As Mo Chara said, their speech “wasn’t an issue until we said ‘Free Palestine’ at Coachella. That stuff,” referring to the ‘dead Troy’ comments, happened 18 months ago, and nobody batted an eyelid.” Their language was considered satirical and, for all intents and purposes, harmless–until they used the same platform and language to advocate for Palestine.

Palestine Legal has documented countless incidents of “The Palestine Exception,” in which the right to free speech, protest, and even satire, is revoked by the US government to support their relationship with Israel. With Kneecap, they fall in a legal and cultural intersection, as they need a legal visa for entry, as well as sufficient cultural capital to maintain access to music venues.

Their visa status (as well as the looming terrorism charges) will be yet another litmus test for the Palestine Exception in 2025, as support for Palestine doubles amongst Democrats. Will the Palestine Exception live to see the 2030s? Or might a small, rowdy hip-hop group from Northern Ireland make it across the Atlantic.

A Future for Kneecap

As it stands, their remaining tour dates sell out with rapid speed, and their support on social media intensifies. The support for Kneecap may also indicate that widespread public support might be enough to supersede the Palestine Exception within Western governments. But that’s not a priority for Kneecap right now, who continues to advocate and raise funds for Palestine.

When asked about the tour, Mo Chara said “We’re in the process [of applying for new visas], hopefully it works. But if it doesn’t, I can go about my day without having to worry about my next meal or my family being bombed. Visa revoked, I can get over.”

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