Mo Chara of Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence for displaying the Hezbollah flag at a London concert. The footage resurfaced after the band’s Coachella performance, prompting a police investigation. Kneecap has denied supporting the groups in question, emphasizing their condemnation of violence against civilians.
Mo Chara, a member of the Irish rap group Kneecap, has been charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying the Hezbollah flag during a November concert at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town. This surfaced online following the group’s performance at Coachella, which also carried pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel sentiments.
Footage has emerged showing Chara wrapped in the Hezbollah flag while chanting, “Up Hamas! Up Hezbollah!” Both Hezbollah and Hamas are classified as terrorist organisations in the UK. The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation after the videos went viral, given the UK’s restrictions on public support for these groups.
In response to the investigation, Kneecap issued a statement asserting their stance: “Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay.”
Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, 18th June. Kneecap has yet to comment further on the situation, as Pitchfork has reached out to their representatives.
The group, hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, first captured attention with their debut album, 3CAG, in 2018. Their second release, Fine Art, came out in 2024, alongside a biopic titled Kneecap.
Kneecap has garnered a reputation for championing Palestine, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza, making this incident particularly notable as it relates to their broader advocacy.
Mo Chara from Kneecap faces legal repercussions after an incident involving the display of the Hezbollah flag, spotlighting the group’s controversial advocacy for Palestine. The group has condemned both Hamas and Hezbollah, insisting they do not support violence against civilians. As they prepare for a court date, scrutiny over their political expressions continues to grow.
Original Source: pitchfork.com