In a move that has ignited controversy across Europe, the Irish rap group Kneecap has been banned from entering Hungary, effectively barring them from performing at the renowned Sziget Festival in Budapest this August. The ban, announced on July 24, 2025, by Hungary's Secretary of State for International Communication, Zoltán Kovács, cites concerns over antisemitic hate speech and the group’s alleged praise of militant organizations Hamas and Hezbollah, which Hungary says pose a serious threat to national security.
Kneecap, a Belfast-based Irish-language rap trio known for their anarchic energy, satirical lyrics, and symbolic references to the Irish republican movement, were scheduled to perform on the closing day of the six-day Sziget Festival on August 11. Their music often intertwines political commentary with cultural identity, but it is their outspoken support for Palestine that has recently drawn intense scrutiny and backlash.
Government spokesperson Kovács took to the social platform X (formerly Twitter) to declare, “Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form.” He emphasized that the band’s presence at the festival “posed a national security threat” and that the three members—Naoise Ó Cairealláin, J.J. Ó Dochartaigh, and Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh—were banned from Hungary for three years. He added, “If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.”
The accusations stem largely from Kneecap’s public statements and performances. In April 2025, during their set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, the band displayed messages condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, including phrases such as “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people…It is being enabled by the U.S.” and “Fuck Israel / Free Palestine.” These declarations sparked calls for visa revocations and cancellations of several scheduled gigs.
Moreover, Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, faces legal challenges in the UK. In June 2025, he appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with a terrorism offence related to allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London concert. Hezbollah, along with Hamas, is banned in the UK, and expressing support for these groups is a criminal offense. Mo Chara denies the charges, and the band has stated they will “vehemently defend ourselves” against these accusations.
The controversy surrounding Kneecap extends beyond Hungary. In June, Avon and Somerset Police launched a criminal investigation into comments made by the band during their Glastonbury Festival performance but ultimately decided no further action was warranted. Despite this, the band’s presence at major UK festivals has been contentious. They were reportedly removed from the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow due to police safety concerns and faced criticism from public figures, including Sharon Osbourne, who called for their US visas to be revoked.
In response to the Hungarian ban, Kneecap issued a defiant statement on social media, apologizing to their fans for missing the Sziget Festival but condemning the Hungarian government’s decision as politically motivated. “The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we ‘pose a national security threat.’ Which is fucking outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago,” the band wrote. They insisted that “no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country” and emphasized their stance against all hate crimes, championing “love and solidarity.”
The band framed the ban as “a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people,” drawing parallels to Budapest’s citizens defying their own president’s ban on the Pride Parade in June. Their message concluded with a rallying cry: “Free Palestine, Tiocfaidh ár lá [Our day will come], Fuck Viktor Orban.”
The Hungarian government’s hardline stance has found support among various local cultural figures. Over 150 artists and cultural leaders, including Academy Award-winning director László Nemes Jeles, signed a petition urging the cancellation of Kneecap’s performance at Sziget. Hungary’s minister for European affairs, János Bóka, underscored the government’s “zero-tolerance” policy toward antisemitism in a letter to festival organizers earlier in July.
Festival organizers, however, have expressed regret and concern over the government’s unprecedented intervention. In a statement, they stressed their commitment to condemning hate speech while upholding artistic freedom, warning that “cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution.” They also voiced fears that the ban might damage Sziget’s reputation and Hungary’s standing on the international stage. The 2025 festival lineup includes major acts such as Post Malone, Shawn Mendes, and Charli XCX, underscoring the event’s global significance.
Kneecap’s journey from their 2017 formation in Belfast to international recognition has been marked by both acclaim and controversy. Their rise inspired a semi-fictionalized film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender, which won a British Academy of Film Award (BAFTA) in February 2025. Despite their artistic success, their political statements have led to increasing scrutiny, legal challenges, and now, outright bans.
The complex intersection of music, politics, and free expression is on full display in this saga. Kneecap’s supporters argue their art and activism highlight critical human rights issues, while detractors accuse them of promoting hateful rhetoric and glorifying militant groups. As the band faces legal battles and travel restrictions, the broader debate about artistic freedom and political expression continues to unfold on a global stage.
With the Sziget Festival now deprived of one of its most provocative acts, questions linger about the implications of government censorship and the limits of free speech in the arts. Whether Kneecap’s ban will set a precedent for similar actions remains to be seen, but for now, the Belfast trio remains at the heart of a contentious cultural and political storm.
