Musickneecap faces pro-Israel protesters during festival in Paris

The Irish Rap Trio Kneecap faced an attempt to sabotage during his presentation at the festival Rock en Seinein Paris, but managed to overcome the protests and complete their set without further interference. Protesters Pro-Israel attended the August 24 show with whistles and flags anti-kneecapin a clear attempt to interrupt the performance.

The controversy surrounding the band began after their explosive statements in the Coachellawhere they criticized Israel and several governments for supporting the country in the conflict Israel-Palestin. These positions generated requests to remove the group of various festivals in the United Kingdom and Europe, but the Rock en Seine kept the Kneecap In line-up, even though this resulting in substantial events of event financing.

At the beginning of the show, protesters shook small flags and continually blown whistles to rise the presentation. The group’s response was immediate and firm. The rapper MOGLAÍ BAP He went directly to the protests:

They want to try to stop us. They don’t want us to touch the festival. We will not allow them to be gone. We are not like them. We are not like Israel. We are not here to cause fights. We are here to have fun.

Moon He added the statement with a conciliatory tone: “I know we are angry, frustrated. Don’t let these people feel it. We’re here for love, fun and support.” The pair made it clear that anyone with whistles would be removed by security, but always “without aggression.”

After this initial confrontation, they echoed shouts from “Free, Free Palestine” by the festival, and the protesters were removed from the crowd. The rest of the presentation has passed without problems, allowing the Kneecap complete your performance in Rock en Seine normally.

The band’s situation goes beyond artistic controversies. MoonIt faces accusations of terrorism for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London show last November. He attended Westminster Magistrates Court last week, where the trial was reserved for September 26, when a judge will decide if he has jurisdiction to hear the case.

The group vehemently denies the accusations and characterizes legal action as “political policing” and a “distraction carnival”. In a statement of May, they stated, “We are not history. Genocide in Palestine is.” THE Kneecap Consistently denied supporting Hamas or Hezbollah, arguing that he does not incite or forgive violence, and that the images of the British shows were taken from context.

The incident in Rock en Seine illustrates the growing polarization around artists who publicly position themselves on geopolitical issues. The French festival chose to defend artistic freedom even facing financial consequences, demonstrating that some cultural spaces still prioritize the right to expression on external pressures.

+++ Read more: Massive Attack unites musicians in alliance against censorship after criticism of the war

+++ Read more: Kneecap criticizes Keir Strmer and Rod Stewart in a very commented presentation at Glastonbury 2025

+++ Read more: Meet Kneecap: Music and Freedom, Irish trio movie accused of terrorism