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The frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

The outspoken punk duo ignited widespread controversy when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June set. This slogan was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, the band was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US state department revoked the members' visas, forcing them to cancel a planned North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his initial public discussion after the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the criticism the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the people that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Comments

This artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the chant, and asserted that staff of BBC employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the network's broadcast of the show violated content guidelines in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His reaction was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When asked what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that persist to permit that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the local population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I believe I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

As Vylan said he thought the band had been targeted more severely than others for speaking about the conflict, the host brought up the Ireland-based band another band, who have also encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with all things race becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."