Irish rap trio Kneecap have confronted backlash from elements of the Jewish group and celebrities like Sharon Osbourne following their sturdy 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 in opposition to the Palestinian folks — we now have confronted a coordinated smear marketing campaign,” their statement reads. “For over a 12 months, we now have used our exhibits to name out the British and Irish governments’ complicity in warfare crimes.”
Kneecap added that they’re already taking motion in opposition to 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 rationale Kneecap is being focused is straightforward — 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 a few of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes — and we is not going to 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 said to Kneecap not too long ago parting ways with their reserving company, Unbiased Artist Group, a transfer that would influence their capacity to play US exhibits (IAG reportedly sponsored the group’s work visas).
As a refresher, Kneecap led “Free Palestine” and anti-Margaret Thatcher chants in the course of the first weekend of Coachella that had been lower 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 in opposition to 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 warfare crimes.”
Kneecap member Mo Chara additionally gave a speech by which he mentioned, “The Palestinians have nowhere to go, it’s their fucking house 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 in opposition to Kneecap’s actions, with the latter calling for the revocation of their work visas. Responding to Osbourne, Mo Chara identified that his group has constantly stood with Palestine since its formation and urged her to hearken to Black Sabbath’s “Battle Pigs.”
