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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

The vocal music duo ignited widespread debate when they initiated crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This slogan was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling the duo to cancel a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his first public discussion since the festival show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the duo faced was "small compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the people that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist said he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the network's broadcast of the show breached content guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan told the host there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the views of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When asked what he intended by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to permit that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. In which the Palestinian people are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance led to a rise in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Bands

As he mentioned he felt the duo had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "because as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."