Israel-hating Irish rap group Kneecap, which is facing terrorism charges for brandishing a Hezbollah flag and praising Hamas at a show in London last year, will play a pair of sold-out shows in New York this October.
The controversial Belfast-based group is known for spewing hateful pro-terrorist propaganda from the stage, including openly supporting the “Palestinian struggle” a day after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas massacre in Israel and performing in front of a backdrop that read “F–k Israel Free Palestine.“
Kneecap member Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam O’Hanna, was charged under the Terrorism Act in Britain last month for waving the flag of the banned group while allegedly saying “up Hamas, up Hezbollah.”
At a court hearing in London in June, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the court, hoisting signs that read “Defend Kneecap” and “Drop the Charges.”
The band has defended their actions, saying, “We deny this ‘offense’ and will vehemently defend ourselves,” describing the charge against the rapper as an attempt to silence them.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said the rapper is “well within his rights” to support the Palestinians, but not to defy a law that criminalizes displaying signs or banners that give a reasonable suspicion of supporting a known terror group, according to the BBC.
Chara has also accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza and hit out at the US for its support of the Jewish state.
“They’re bombing them from the skies. If you’re not calling it a genocide, what the f–k are you calling it?” he said to raucous cheers on stage while a screen behind the band read, “The US government arms and funds Israel despite their war crimes.”
The group will be performing at The Rooftop at Pier 17 on Oct. 1 and 10.
