Kneecap, the Belfast-based Irish language hip-hop trio, has been banned from entering Hungary, less than three weeks before they were due to perform at the Sziget festival in Budapest.
Zoltan Kovacs, Hungary's Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Relations of Hungary, took to X on Thursday, July 24, to announce that Kneecap has been "officially banned from entering Hungary" for three years.
Kovacs accused the trio of "antisemitism and glorifying terror."
🚫 @KneecapCEOL are officially banned from entering Hungary—for antisemitism and glorifying terror. When hate ignores the mail, we put it on a wall.
📢 This is what we call "service by public notice." In plain English: if you won’t read the letter, you’ll see it on the poster. pic.twitter.com/K2lJ0L2mi1
— Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) July 24, 2025
In a subsequent post on X, Kovacs claimed that Kneecap's members "repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups."
📢 As I’ve already announced. Here it is, straight from the Government Information Center:
🚫 @KneecapCEOL’s members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups. Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form.
❌Their planned…
— Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) July 24, 2025
"No legal basis"
A few hours later, Kneecap issued a statement on social media slamming their ban as "a political distraction."
The group said: "To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we're sorry we won't be with you.
"The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we 'pose a national security threat.'
"Which is f--king outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago.
"There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country.
"We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices where we see it.
"It's clear this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.
"Much like the good people of Budapest, who defied their own President's ban on their 'Pride Parade' in June, we will fight on for what is right."
They concluded their statement: "Free Palestine. Tiocfaidh ár lá. F--k Viktor Orban."
A message for all who'd hoped to see us on stage at Sziget in 2 weeks👇❤️ pic.twitter.com/JKFuKIkAf4
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) July 24, 2025
"Artistic freedom of expression"
Organizers of the Sziget music festival said the ban on Kneecap entering the country is "unprecedented" as well as "unnecessary and regrettable."
"Following concerns raised by Government and pressure groups across Hungary over the past weeks at the prospect of Kneecap performing, we have liaised closely with the band and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Sziget's values or Hungarian law.
"Sziget Festival's values mean we condemn hate speech, while guaranteeing the fundamental right to artistic freedom of expression for every performer. Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution."
Organizers added that they fear the ban on Kneecap "may not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but also negatively affect Hungary's standing worldwide."
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The ban was announced the week after UK police announced that there would be "no further action" in their criminal investigation into Kneecap's performance at the Glastonbury music festival.
The Recap. Glastonbury.
From Belfast to Derry shouting Fuck Badenoch 🔥 pic.twitter.com/h4nWH6gDiy
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) June 30, 2025
However, Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh - who goes by the stage name Mo Chara - is still facing a terrorism charge in the UK. He is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hizballah, a proscribed organisation.
He was released on unconditional bail following a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on June 18. A further hearing is set for August 20.
Kneecap slammed the terrorism charge as "political policing" and "a carnival of distraction."
They're already on the back foot...🔥
GRMA for the video @TenthManHello pic.twitter.com/THNHXNjp3e
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) June 18, 2025
Earlier this year, Kneecap made headlines for their performances at the US music festival Coachella, where they displayed messaging on stage that read: "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
"It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes.
"F--k Israel. Free Palestine."
Some uncensored messaging to Coachella 🤝🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/WbHZBrCZl5
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 19, 2025
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