Punk rapper Bobby Vylan to face no further action from police over chanting 'death, death to the IDF' at Al Quds Day demonstration in London

Punk rapper Bobby Vylan will face no further action from the Metropolitan Police for chanting 'death, death to the IDF' at an Al Quds Day demonstration in central London.The performer, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, made the remarks on March 15 on International Jerusalem Day, which expresses support for Palestinians and opposition to Israel and Zionism.Members of the crowd also appeared to join in with the chant, on a day when 12 people were arrested during the protests. It was a repeat of the infamous chant that the rapper started at Glastonbury Festival in 2025, which was broadcast to thousands on the BBC.A Met Police spokesman told the Press Association: 'On Sunday, March 15, the Met was made aware of chanting by a speaker at the Al Quds demonstration and an investigation was launched into the language used.'We take reports like this incredibly seriously and we recognise the concerns caused, particularly among London's Jewish communities.'Early investigative advice was sought from the Crown Prosecution Service.'Following consideration of that advice, officers have concluded that no further action will be taken.'We continue to work closely with community representatives to ensure the safety and security of Jewish Londoners.' Bobby Vylan - one half of the punk rap duo Bob Vylan - repeated his controversial Glastonbury chant of 'death to the IDF' at the rally The group was widely condemned for its chant during their performance on the West Holts Stage at GlastonburyThe rapper posted a statement on social media saying he would not be 'intimidated'.He wrote: 'After being investigated for my speech at Al-Quds day in March 2026, the Met police have said no further action will be taken.'The harassment by the Met Police has been constant, multiple investigations, stopping me for no good reason, and circulating information about the band internally including an image of me which wasn't necessary to include.'Despite all of this, I will not be intimidated. We continue!'Following the performance on the West Holts Stage in June last year, the duo of Robinson-Foster and drummer Wade Laurence George, were dropped from several festivals and events, including Radar festival, a show at a German music venue, and a US tour.Mr Robinson-Foster said on the Louis Theroux Podcast last October that he was 'not regretful' of the chant and would 'do it again tomorrow'.The BBC faced criticism for livestreaming the Glastonbury performance, saying in a statement shortly after that the Ipswich-formed act had been deemed suitable for live streaming but that this was 'clearly not the case', and apologising for the group's 'offensive and deplorable behaviour'.After the duo's Glastonbury performance, the Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was an 'outrageous decision' by the BBC to broadcast Bob Vylan.A spokesman said: 'Our national broadcaster must apologise for its dissemination of this extremist vitriol, and those responsible must be removed from their positions.'The group added: 'Before they were calling for "Death to the IDF", we can reveal that Bob Vylan were insulting police officers and extolling "dead pigs".'Calling for the death of people you dislike isn’t art - it's cheap and dangerous. It should carry consequences.'We have alerted police in Lancashire and Somerset, who are already investigating the Glastonbury performance.'The duo said on social media in July this year that they would take legal action against the BBC following controversy around their Glastonbury performance.The BBC declined to comment.Avon and Somerset Police later opened a criminal investigation over the incident but said in December that no further action would be taken. Bob Vylan were among thousands of pro-Iran demonstrators who gathered for the march on the South Bank of the Thames, with 1,000 riot police being placed on alert. Punk duo Bob Vylan posted on social media plans to take legal action against the BBC following controversy over a broadcast performance at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2025 A young man holds a handwritten sign which reads 'boom boom Tel Aviv' during the Al Quds static protest in London on March 15, 2026 Pro-Iran demonstrators unfurl huge Palestinian flags brandished with the words 'boycott the Zionist' and 'Be on the right side of history'Demonstrators congregated for prayers and brandished placards declaring 'boom boom Tel Aviv'.Chants of 'from the river to the sea' and 'Israel is a terror state' could be heard as people held pictures of the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei. The rally, organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), was due to head through the streets of London but was curtailed by Shabana Mahmood due to the 'risk of serious disorder'The Met Police used the Thames as a buffer to separate pro-Iran demonstrators from a counter-protest who were told to gather on the north side of the river.Pro-Iran demonstrators held signs which read 'Home Secretary, de-prescribe Palestine Action'. Other pro-regime signs were on display, as well as one banner which said the 'Epstein regime' murdered 168 schoolchildren in Iran. Leaflets circulating at the rally showed a picture of Ali Khamenei and the words 'No2Nato No2War'.Bob Vylan told the crowd the West was being run by 'cold-hearted monsters'.He also accused the government of 'gaslighting' protesters and branded the police 'pigs'.'These pigs you see here today are here on the orders given to them by the coward Met Commissioner Mark Rowley,' he said. 'He has refused to meet with organisers of pro-Palestine marches and rallies, but never misses an opportunity to cosy up next to the Board of Deputies.'The Zionist influence here in the UK is palpable.'We can feel it. We can see it. We can see it when we look at these pigs that are itching to put their heavy hands on any and every one of us that might challenge the wretched system that they uphold, a system corrupted from the top down, not the bottom up.'They call us hate marchers, but we come from a place of love, love for the people of Palestine and one another. We must strive to remain human in a world run by monsters.'He added: 'Here we are today as a community in an attempt to remain human and let this government know that despite all of their scare tactics, for every doctor they harass with repeated arrests; for every musician they attempt to ban from playing shows; for every pensioner with a placard they bundle into a police van; for every political prisoner they hope starves to death; we are here unbreakable and human standing always with the people of Gaza. 'And I would like to conclude with Death, Death, Death, to the IDF.' Demonstrators arrive at Albert Embankment in Central London for a static protest after the Al Quds march was banned Police pictured arresting a protester at the static protest in central London earlier this yearMoments before being arrested at the demonstration, one young man holding the 'Boom boom Tel Aviv sign' had said he supported the bombing of Israel.He refused to provide his name but defended holding the sign.He said: 'I support the bombing of Israel…'When asked why, he said: 'Because of genocide and paedophiles.'Asked what his sign meant, he replied: 'Bombing the s*** out of Tel Aviv'.He stuck his tongue out at photographers as he was led away and did not seem visibly upset or shaken by the arrest.Al-Quds Day began in Iran in 1979 after the Ayatollah's revolution. It spread to the UK, and has been held in London for 40 years.