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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Reactions

This outspoken music pair ignited widespread debate when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This slogan was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the people that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Comments

The artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the BBC's airing of the performance violated content standards in relation to offense and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the politics of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When asked what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the situation that persist to permit that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. In which the local people are being killed at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents reported two days.

"I don't think I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of people going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Artists

As Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have likewise encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "since as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."