A Jewish organisation has called for Manchester Academy to cancel an upcoming performance by Bob Vylan, saying they have “engaged in rhetoric that crosses the line” into “antisemitism and incitement”.
In a letter backed by 10 MPs, the Jewish Representative Council (JRC) of Greater Manchester and Region said it was “deeply concerned” about the punk rap duo performing on 5 November.
Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury Festival set was found to have breached BBC editorial standards when it was livestreamed in June.
During their performance at Worthy Farm, the punk-rap duo led the crowd in chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
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The JRC’s letter comes after two people were killed in the Manchester synagogue terror attack last week.
It also comes after the group had already demanded “urgent action” last month on a performance it said would cause “significant concern” in the community.
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“There is a vital distinction between legitimate criticism of the Israeli government and speech that veers into antisemitism,” the fresh statement by the JRC said.
The council said while freedom of expression must be protected “an artist who has consistently been condemned as hateful” should not be given such a platform.
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“We call on the Manchester Academy to cancel the performance and commit to clear policies to ensure that it will not legitimise prejudice under the guise of freedom of speech.”
The JRC said the statement is supported by a number of the region’s MPs including Labour’s Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell, Paul Waugh for Rochdale and the Liberal Democrat MP for Cheadle, Tom Morrison.
Last Thursday, knife-wielding terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, launched his attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, both died in the attack, which unfolded on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
