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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Reactions

The outspoken music pair ignited significant debate when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. This chant was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, the band was dropped by its agency UTA, and the US government revoked the artists' visas, forcing the duo to call off a planned North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first interview after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the duo faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have their support, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Comments

The artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the chant, and asserted that staff of BBC employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the performance violated editorial standards in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan informed the host 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. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the views of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

When asked what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also rejected claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish events recorded two days.

"I don't think I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Artists

When he said he felt the band had been criticised more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "because as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."