Stop Extremism on Our Stages: Say No to Kneecap
On 23 May, the Irish rap group Kneecap is scheduled to perform at the Herne Hill Festival (SE21).
This cannot go unchallenged.
Kneecap has openly and unapologetically supported proscribed terrorist organisations, including Hezbollah — a group banned under UK law for its involvement in terror and murder. They have used their public platform to promote hatred, glorify violence, and lend legitimacy to causes that call for the eradication of the world’s only Jewish state.
Freedom of expression is a core British value. But freedom has never meant providing a platform for those who support terrorism. There is a clear and urgent difference between political dissent and the endorsement of groups whose stated aim is the slaughter of innocents.
We Believe in Israel (WBII) calls on the organisers of the Herne Hill Festival, local authorities, and venues across the United Kingdom to take a stand against extremism in all its forms.
We demand that Kneecap’s appearance at Herne Hill be cancelled — and that all future scheduled performances across the UK be reviewed and revoked.
Allowing Kneecap to perform normalises support for banned terrorist groups. It sends a message that hate speech and incitement are tolerable so long as they are dressed up as entertainment.
We must not allow our public spaces to become platforms for the glorification of terror.
We must not allow antisemitism — no matter how it is disguised — to take the stage in our communities.
Enough is enough!
WBII is taking decisive action to ensure Kneecap is held accountable and to prevent this dangerous normalisation of hate.
Here’s what we are doing — and how you can help:
-
Launching a National Petition:
We have created a petition on Change.org demanding the immediate cancellation of Kneecap’s appearance at the Herne Hill Festival, the review of all future scheduled performances, and clear accountability from event organisers.
Sign and share the petition here
We are calling on all supporters to contact their Members of Parliament, demanding urgent action to prevent UK platforms from being used to glorify terrorism.
We have provided an easy-to-use template to help you send a clear, respectful, and powerful message.
WBII is coordinating direct appeals to the Herne Hill Festival organisers, local councils, and all responsible authorities, insisting that Kneecap’s booking be cancelled.
We encourage every supporter to join us in contacting the organisers and standing against extremism at the community level.
This is about more than one concert.
It is about drawing a clear line:
Terrorism must not be normalised.
Antisemitism must not be disguised as entertainment.
Public stages must not be platforms for hate.
We urge all our supporters: stand with us.
Sign. Write. Speak out.
Together, we can ensure that British values of tolerance, decency, and law are upheld — without compromise.
Model Letter
Call for Action to Cancel Kneecap’s Performances in the UK
I am writing to you as a concerned constituent regarding the scheduled performance of the Irish rap group Kneecap at the Herne Hill Festival on 23 May 2025, and the wider issue of public platforms being given to those who openly support proscribed terrorist organisations.
Kneecap has publicly expressed support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, both of which are banned under UK law for their involvement in terrorism, incitement to violence, and the murder of civilians, including British citizens. The group’s actions — including the waving of a Hezbollah flag at a concert and explicit endorsement of violent narratives against Israel — cannot be excused as legitimate political expression. They represent a clear and dangerous endorsement of organisations committed to acts of terror.
Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of British democracy. However, that freedom must not extend to providing a stage for the glorification of violence, hatred, and antisemitism.
The scheduled performance of Kneecap sends an unacceptable message: that support for proscribed terrorist groups can be overlooked if it is wrapped in the guise of "artistic expression."
I respectfully urge you to:
-
Raise this issue with the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, seeking urgent clarification on how such events are being permitted.
-
Support calls for the Herne Hill Festival to cancel Kneecap’s appearance.
-
Advocate for a broader review to ensure that public events and festivals are not providing platforms to individuals or groups who promote or legitimise proscribed terrorist organisations.
We must not allow hatred and extremism to be normalised in our public spaces. British Jews — and all communities — deserve to live in a country where the glorification of terrorism is firmly rejected.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to hearing what steps you will take to address these concerns.
Yours sincerely,
