Lyrics Don’t Kill. Bombs Do.

Bob Vylan shouted. The IDF shelled. One got cancelled. The other got armed. Tell me again who’s dangerous. Britain’s media isn’t blind, it’s complicit.

In late June at Glastonbury, during what was meant to be a celebration of art, music and freedom of expression, the British media found its next scapegoat. Bob Vylan, a politically conscious artist known for his outspoken views on race, class and injustice, took to the stage and uttered a phrase that sent half the press into frenzy: "Death to the IDF. From the river to the sea, Palestine must be – will be – free. Insha Allah."¹

It was, admittedly, a provocation. No artist of sound mind enters a major UK festival and says “Death to…” anyone without intending to shock. But what followed was not proportionate outrage, it was orchestrated hysteria. Keir Starmer², who increasingly governs with a fear of upsetting the Mail more than a fear of losing integrity, called it “appalling hate speech.” Glastonbury, the very festival that used to brand itself as anti-establishment, quickly distanced itself. The BBC labelled the words “offensive³.” Ofcom began asking questions. And the United States revo…