A criminal investigation has been opened against Bob Vylan and Kneecap following their anti-Zionist chants at Glastonbury.

Glastonbury Festival, one of the world's most important music events, has become the center of a fierce international controversy following anti-Zionist slogans and messages against the Israeli military in performances by British duo Bob Vylan and Irish group Kneecap.

Avon and Somerset Police announced this Monday that they have launched a criminal investigation into the events that occurred last weekend at the festival, where both groups made politically charged remarks from the stage. According to the official statement, authorities are reviewing video and audio recordings to determine whether hate crime and public nuisance regulations have been violated.

"It has been recorded as a public order incident. The investigation is in its preliminary phase," the police said, assigning a senior detective to the case. British security forces have emphasized that they will be guided by the evidence and current legislation, recognizing "the strength of feelings" expressed by many people in the wake of the incident. "Hate has absolutely no place in society," they stated.

During his performance, Bob Vylan frontman Bobby Vylan urged the audience to chant “Death, death to the IDF!” , referring to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He also proclaimed, “ From the river to the sea , Palestine must be, will be… Insha’lah, it will be free!” while a screen displayed messages such as “Free Palestine: UN calls it genocide. BBC calls it conflict.”

The United States' response was swift. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced the revocation of entry visas for members of Bob Vylan. "Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country," he stated through his official X account.

Irish rappers Kneecap also stopped their concert to launch direct criticism of Israel. "I don't have to indoctrinate you. Israel is a war criminal," said one of the members before leading the chant "Free Palestine, free Palestine." One of the members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as "Mo Chara," was previously charged under the Terrorism Act after waving a Hezbollah flag during a concert in London last November. He is currently on parole.

Other artists, such as CMAT, also expressed their opposition to the Israeli offensive in Gaza during their performances. However, both the festival organizers and British politicians have condemned statements considered anti-Semitic or hateful by some musicians.

The debate over the boundaries between freedom of artistic expression and hate speech has been revived in the United Kingdom, amid an international context marked by the conflict in the Middle East.