Irish rap trio Kneecap have confronted backlash from components of the Jewish neighborhood and celebrities like Sharon Osbourne following their robust pro-Palestine, anti-Israel messaging throughout each weekends of Coachella. Now, the group has launched a press release alleging that they’ve confronted a “smear marketing campaign” for his or her efforts.
“Since our statements at Coachella — exposing the continuing genocide towards the Palestinian folks — we now have confronted a coordinated smear marketing campaign,” their assertion reads. “For over a 12 months, we now have used our reveals to name out the British and Irish governments’ complicity in conflict crimes.”
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Kneecap added that they’re already taking motion towards these “malicious efforts,” which they state are “largely emanating from the US” and primarily based on “deliberate distortions and falsehoods.”
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The assertion continues:
“The explanation Kneecap is being focused is easy — we’re telling the reality, and our viewers is rising. These attacking us need to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponize false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and supply cowl for genocide.
We don’t give a f*ck what faith anybody practices. We all know there are huge numbers of Jewish folks outraged by this genocide simply as we’re. What we care about is that governments of the nations we carry out in are enabling among the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes — and we won’t keep silent.
No media spin will change this.
Our solely concern is the Palestinian folks — the 20,000 murdered kids and counting.
The younger folks at our gigs see by the lies.
They stand on the facet of humanity and justice.
And that provides us nice hope.
Kneecap ❤️
It’s unclear whether or not this assertion is expounded to Kneecap lately parting methods with their reserving company, Unbiased Artist Group, a transfer that would impression their capacity to play US reveals (IAG reportedly sponsored the group’s work visas).
As a refresher, Kneecap led “Free Palestine” and anti-Margaret Thatcher chants throughout the first weekend of Coachella that have been minimize from the official livestream. They doubled down throughout their weekend two efficiency by bringing out streamer Hasan Piker to broadcast their protest and displaying, “Fuck Israel, free Palestine” on the screens behind them.
“Israel is committing genocide towards the Palestinian folks,” one other message learn on their stage screens. “It’s being enabled by the US authorities who arm and fund Israel regardless of their conflict crimes.”
Kneecap member Mo Chara additionally gave a speech through which he stated, “The Palestinians have nowhere to go, it’s their fucking residence and so they’re bombing them from the skies. In the event you’re not calling it a genocide what the fuck are you calling it?” He then led a “Free, free Palestine” chant.
Following the second Coachella efficiency, teams just like the pro-Israel nonprofit Inventive Neighborhood for Peace criticized competition organizer Goldenvoice, and it was reported that CEO Paul Tollett was “blindsided” by the incident.
Celebrities like Disturbed’s David Draiman and Sharon Osbourne spoke out towards Kneecap’s actions, with the latter calling for the revocation of their work visas. Responding to Osbourne, Mo Chara identified that his group has persistently stood with Palestine since its formation and urged her to take heed to Black Sabbath’s “Warfare Pigs.”