By Ryan Patrick Jones
Canada has barred Irish rap trio Kneecap from entering the country ahead of its scheduled concerts next month, accusing the band of promoting hate and violence and supporting terrorist groups, a member of the Liberal government announced on Friday.
Belfast-based Kneecap, who regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, have caused controversy elsewhere. At the Glastonbury Festival in southwest England in June, frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – known by the stage name Mo Chara – accused Israel of committing war crimes. Israel has denied such accusations.
Vince Gasparro, Canada’s parliamentary secretary for combatting crime, said in a video on X that the members of the group have been deemed ineligible to enter the country because of actions and statements that violate Canadian law.
He said the group has amplified political violence and has publicly displayed support for terrorist organizations, including Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza.
“Advocating for political violence, glorifying terrorist organizations and displaying hate symbols that directly target the Jewish community are not protected forms of expression and will not be tolerated by our government,” Gasparro said.
Kneecap’s manager and international booking agent didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Canada’s immigration ministry didn’t immediately respond to a request for more details.
The band has said previously that its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah, and that it condemns “all attacks on civilians, always.”
In May, Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence in Britain for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah during a performance in London in November 2024. He denies the offence, saying the flag was thrown on stage during its performance.
In August, Kneecap canceled its 15-date U.S. tour scheduled for October, citing the proximity of Ó hAnnaidh’s London court hearing.
Kneecap had four Canadian concerts scheduled in October, two in Toronto and two in Vancouver, according to its website.
(CNReporting by Ryan Patrick Jones in Toronto; Editing by Frank McGurty and Nick Zieminski)
