Kneecap has been barred from entering Canada effective immediately, accused of 'amplifying political violence' and 'displaying support for terrorist organizations.' The Belfast-based trio slammed the allegations as "malicious."
The Canadian ban comes less than two months after Hungary placed a three-year ban on the Belfast-based trio from entering the country.
Kneecap - Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh ("Mo Chara"), Naoise Ó Cairealláin ("Móglaí Bap"), and J. J. Ó Dochartaigh ("DJ Próvaí") - had two gigs in Toronto and two gigs in Vancouver scheduled for October.
"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am announcing that on the advice of our officials, we have deemed the group Kneecap ineligible to enter our country," Canadian MP Vince Gasparro, the Parliamentary Secretary for Combating Crime, said on social media on Friday, September 19.
"Our government will not tolerate the advocating of political violence, terrorism, or Anti-Semitism and hate more broadly."
In an accompanying video, Gasparro said: "Recently, the rap group Kneecap has engaged in actions and have made statements that are contrary to Canadian values and laws that have caused deep alarm to our Government."
Gasparro accused Kneecap of 'amplifying political violence' and 'publicly displaying support for terrorist organizations,' including Hezbollah and Hamas.
"These are not expressions of art or legitimate political critique," Gasparro said. "They are dangerous endorsements of violence and hate."
Gasparro noted how one member of Kneecap, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh - who performs under the stage name Mo Chara - is "facing terrorism-related charges in the United Kingdom."
Ó hAnnaidh has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Judge Paul Goldspring said he would give a decision on whether Ó hAnnaidh will face trial on September 26.
On behalf of the Government of Canada I am announcing that on the advice of our officials, we have deemed the group Kneecap ineligible to enter our country.
Our government will not tolerate the advocating of political violence, terrorism or Anti-Semitism and hate more broadly. pic.twitter.com/3KOf84G3bZ
— Vince Gasparro (@vgasparro) September 19, 2025
"Wholly untrue and deeply malicious"
In response, Kneecap published a message to Gasparro on social media on Friday.
"Your comments about us are wholly untrue and deeply malicious," the trio wrote.
"We will not accept it.
"No member of Kneecap has been convicted of ANY crime in ANY country EVER.
"Whilst you outrageously try to claim we are antisemitic 'the Times' newspaper in England today wrote of our headline show in London last night as 'emphatically anti-sectarian'.
"We have today instructed our lawyers to initiate legal action against you.
"We will be relentless in defending ourselves against baseless accusations to silence our opposition to a genocide being committed by Israel.
"When we beat you in court, which we will, we will donate every cent to assist some of the thousands of child amputees in Gaza."
"Use your voices in Canada"
In a message to their Canadian fans, Kneecap wrote: "Recently many efforts have been made by your government to remove our ability to travel to Canada despite having valid 'eTA's [electronic travel authorizations].
"We are aware of significant Zionist lobby groups (Allied voices for Israel, The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs & Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem) attempting to influence your government and its representatives through serious misinformation which we are acting against legally.
"Yesterday we responded with all information requested of us to the immigration/eTA authorities.
"It is our view that when they realised there was no legal basis on which to stop us that they today, via Vince Gasparro, sought to maliciously misrepresent Kneecap.
"We have played in Canada many times with zero issues and a message of solidarity and love.
"We are sorry we cannot be with you next month, but we will not be silenced and will always oppose genocide.
"Use your voices in Canada - stand up and speak out."
A message to Vince Gasparro and our many fans across Canada. 👇 https://t.co/66avCapPgn pic.twitter.com/ySsrgpMs6J
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) September 19, 2025
Comments