In response to a BBC broadcast of a Glastonbury set where a performer incited chants of “Death, death to the IDF”, “From the river to the sea”, and other hateful slogans – aired without editorial intervention or delay – Board of Deputies’ Vice President Andrew Gilbert issued the following statement:
“Countless music fans and BBC viewers will have shared the shock and outrage of British Jews at seeing chants for death being led from the Glastonbury stage this afternoon, alongside other hate-filled messages broadcast uninterrupted in BBC coverage.
“The Board of Deputies has responded swiftly by engaging directly with government, senior figures at the BBC, and the police.
“We welcome the BBC’s confirmation that the hateful material broadcast today will not be available on demand. We will continue to seek answers from the BBC about how that hateful content was allowed to be broadcast and to ensure there can be no repetition of this in the future.
“We thank the Culture Secretary for her speedy intervention in demanding an explanation from the BBC.
As for Glastonbury Festival, its professed commitment to “peace, unity, respect and hope” rings hollow when its stage is used to promote chants calling for death.”Andrew Gilbert
Vice President (Security, Resilience, and Cohesion)