Mo Chara, one of many three members of the Irish rap group Kneecap, has been charged with a terror offense for allegedly displaying the Hezbollah flag throughout a live performance, BBC Information studies. The incident occurred throughout a live performance at London’s O2 Discussion board Kentish City in November 2024, and footage of it started to flow into extra broadly following Kneecap’s Coachella efficiency, which included pro-Palestine and anti-Israel messages.
The footage seems to point out Mo Chara draped within the flag of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite Muslim militant group that has been designated a terrorist group by the UK since 2019. Chara additionally seems to shout, “Up Hamas! Up Hezbollah!” (Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group that governs the Gaza Strip, can also be designated a terrorist group in the UK.) As footage circulated, London’s Metropolitan Police introduced it could examine the web movies, as it’s unlawful, in the UK, to point out assist publicly for Hezbollah and Hamas.
Following the launch of the investigation, Kneecap mentioned in a press release: “Allow us to be unequivocal: we don’t, and have by no means, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all assaults on civilians, at all times. It’s by no means okay.”
In line with BBC Information, Mo Chara, whose actual title is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is due in court docket on Wednesday, June 18. When reached by Pitchfork, a consultant for Kneecap mentioned that band had no remark.
Kneecap, from Belfast, Northern Eire, launched their first mission, 3CAG, in 2018. Their newest album, Fantastic Artwork, arrived in 2024, the identical 12 months because the biographical movie Kneecap. Becoming a member of Mo Chara in Kneecap are Naoise “Móglaí Bap” Ó Caireallain and JJ “DJ Próvaí” Ó Dochartaigh.
For years, Kneecap have used their platform to point out assist for Palestine and the Palestinian individuals. They’ve been significantly vocal because the Israeli navy continues its assaults on Gaza.
