Essex Files: Anti-Israel Controversy and Terror Charge Rock Irish Rap Trio Kneecap

The Irish-language hip-hop trio Kneecap, known for their provocative lyrics and unapologetic political commentary, have found themselves at the center of a storm following their controversial performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2025. The Belfast-based group, consisting of Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh), Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, sparked outrage with their outspoken anti-Israel messaging during their set, which some critics labeled as antisemitic. This controversy has been compounded by a recent terror charge against band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert in November 2024.

BREAKING NEWS: British police charge member of Irish band Kneecap with terrorism offence after displaying Hezbollah flag at concert https://t.co/VAxdbkD5Az
— Phelim McAleer (@PhelimMcAleer) May 21, 2025

During their Coachella performance on the festival’s Sonora Stage, Kneecap projected messages such as “F*** Israel, Free Palestine” and “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.” The group also criticized U.S. support for Israel, accusing the U.S. government of enabling war crimes in Gaza. These statements, displayed prominently on screens and accompanied by pro-Palestinian chants from the crowd, drew sharp criticism from Jewish advocacy groups, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Creative Community for Peace. Critics argued that the band’s rhetoric veered into antisemitism by targeting Israel as a whole and failing to acknowledge the complexity of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, particularly the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks that killed over 1,200 people and took hostages.

Kneecap member Liam O'Hanna (aka Mo Chara) has been charged w/terror support after displaying a Hezbollah flag.

Kneecap is set to perform in the U.S. in October; StopAntisemitism’s ED @LioraRez has requested @SecRubio not grant their visas due to their overt antisemitism &… pic.twitter.com/nuDw4yTnxT
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) May 21, 2025

The band’s defenders, however, viewed their actions as a bold stand against perceived injustices. Kneecap has long aligned itself with Irish Republicanism, drawing parallels between Ireland’s historical struggle against British rule and the Palestinian cause. In a statement to Rolling Stone, Mo Chara emphasized that their critique was aimed at the Israeli government’s actions, not Jewish people, stating, “People can make their own decisions about whether our message is anti-Israel, but for us, it’s about their government’s sickening actions, not ordinary people.” The group further accused Coachella organizers of censoring their pro-Palestinian messages during the festival’s livestream, a claim that fueled their narrative of being silenced by powerful interests.

Me swimming in the tears of Kneecap fans: pic.twitter.com/kQWzT6Jt3H
— Rudy 🐦‍🔥 (@theneonrequiem) May 21, 2025

The fallout was swift. Kneecap was dropped by their U.S. booking agent, Independent Artist Group (IAG), and faced calls from figures like Sharon Osbourne to have their U.S. work visas revoked. Osbourne described their performance as “hate speech” and accused the band of supporting terrorist organizations. The controversy also led to the cancellation of several international gigs, including shows in Germany and a performance at the Eden Sessions in the UK.

The Coachella performance reignited scrutiny of Kneecap’s past actions, particularly after videos surfaced from a November 2024 concert at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town. In one clip, Mo Chara is seen allegedly draped in a Hezbollah flag while shouting, “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah.” Another video from a 2023 gig showed a band member declaring, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” These statements, widely circulated online, prompted an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.

On May 21, 2025, the Metropolitan Police announced that Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, performing as Mo Chara, had been charged with a terror offense under the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000.

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