Eavis 'appalled' and Bob Vylan condemned after anti-IDF chants

The organisers of Glastonbury have said they are "appalled" by comments made by Bob Vylan after the punk duo appeared to incite violence, something the festival said went against its ethos of "hope, unity, peace and love".

- Robyn Vinter Jamie Grierson

At the West Holts stage on Saturday afternoon, the London group led a chant of: "Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]".

Describing himself as a "violent punk", frontman Bobby Vylan said: "Sometimes we have to get our message across with violence because that's the only language some people speak, unfortunately."

The set, which came before the Irish rap trio Kneecap, was broadcast live on the BBC but has since been removed from its streaming services.

A BBC spokesperson previously said some of Bob Vylan's comments were "deeply offensive". A decision was made before the Kneecap performance not to screen it live, due to fears it would breach BBC editorial guidelines on impartiality.

Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset police said it was investigating both performances to determine if any offences had been committed.

Emily Eavis, the organiser of Glastonbury, issued a joint statement condemning Bob Vylan's words: "As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in - and actively campaign for - hope, unity, peace and love.