OTTAWA: Canada has barred Irish rap trio Kneecap from entering the country ahead of its scheduled concerts next month, accusing the band of promoting hate and violence and supporting terrorist groups, a member of the Liberal government announced on Friday.
Belfast-based Kneecap, who regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, have caused controversy elsewhere. At the Glastonbury Festival in southwest England in June, frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh — known by the stage name Mo Chara — accused Israel of committing war crimes. Israel has denied such accusations.
Vince Gasparro, Canada’s parliamentary secretary for combatting crime, said in a video on X that the members of the group have been deemed ineligible to enter the country because of actions and statements that violate Canadian law.
He said the group has amplified political violence and has publicly displayed support for terrorist organizations, including Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza.
“Advocating for political violence, glorifying terrorist organizations and displaying hate symbols that directly target the Jewish community are not protected forms of expression and will not be tolerated by our government,” Gasparro said.
