Hungary bans Kneecap from entering country ahead of festival performance

A government spokesperson cited "antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah as justification" 

Kneecap performing at Glastonbury. Picture: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images

Hungarian authorities have banned Irish rap group Kneecap from entering the country to perform at the Sziget Festival, accusing the band of using antisemitic hate speech and praising the Hamas militant group, a government spokesperson said on Thursday.

Belfast-based Kneecap, who regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, have caused controversy elsewhere in recent months, including at Britain's Glastonbury Festival, where frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh - known by the name Mo Chara - accused Israel of committing war crimes.