Hungary bans Kneecap for three years over alleged ‘antisemitic hate speech’

He later posted official letters sent by Hungary’s immigration authorities, claiming that allowing the group to enter the country would “seriously threaten national security”.

Kneecap has consistently denied all allegations of antisemitism or support for terrorism.

Band member Mo Chara, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is due to appear in court on August 20 for a second hearing after being charged under the Terrorism Act in May.

He is accused of displaying an article “in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation”.

The charge refers to a video clip that surfaced on social media earlier this year allegedly showing Ó hAnnaidh draped in a Hezbollah flag and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” during a gig in London in 2024.

Kneecap has claimed that the charge is designed to “silence” them in response to their pro-Palestine activism.

However, it insisted that none of its members support Hamas or Hezbollah, saying they condemn “all attacks on civilians, always”.

Hungary, meanwhile, has been one of Israel’s staunchest European allies during the Gaza War, even withdrawing from the International Criminal Court over its decision to issue an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Sziget’s organisers, who said they were not informed of the government’s decision, have so far resisted calls to drop Kneecap, including a petition signed by 150 prominent Hungarian artists and cultural figures.

Issuing a statement on the band’s participation last week, they said: “Our festival remains true to what we have consistently achieved over the past 30 years: there is no place for hatred, incitement, prejudice, or any form of racism or antisemitism.”