Glastonbury’s Hate Chants Expose Alarming Rise in U.K. Antisemitism

At the Glastonbury Festival, a shocking display of antisemitic chants led by British rap-pop duo Bob Vylan has ignited outrage among Jewish leaders in the U.K., spotlighting a troubling surge in hate crimes. The performance, broadcast live on the BBC, featured the singer chanting "Death to the IDF," a call that went unchecked by festival staff and the broadcaster, raising serious questions about the normalization of hate speech in mainstream British culture.

Jewish communities have been sounding alarms for years, particularly since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, with antisemitic incidents skyrocketing to 4,296 in 2023 and 3,528 in 2024, according to the Community Security Trust. A January 2025 survey by the Campaign Against Antisemitism revealed a grim reality: only 34% of British Jews see a long-term future in the U.K., with 43% feeling unwelcome and many hiding their Jewish identity to avoid persecution.

The BBC, criticized for its biased coverage of Israel, has come under fire for failing to stop the broadcast. Critics, including former BBC director Danny Cohen, argue the organization has consistently ignored its own guidelines on hate speech. The Board of Deputies condemned Glastonbury’s organizers, noting their commitment to peace and unity rings hollow when such chants are amplified. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the performance "appalling hate speech," demanding answers from the BBC, which later admitted the livestream was "utterly unacceptable."

This incident reflects a deeper societal issue. As U.K.-based journalist Nicole Lampert put it, "What happened at Glastonbury is a symptom of a sickness in British society." With 92% of British Jews linking media bias to rising antisemitism, the question remains: will Britain confront this growing hatred, or will it continue to fester in plain sight?