Sharon Osbourne is calling for support in urging U.S. authorities to revoke Irish rap group Kneecap’s work visa after they denounced Israel during their performance at Coachella, claiming music should not be political.
Osbourne took to X stating that Kneecap “took their performance to a different level by incorporating aggressive political statements,” which she said “included projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech, and this band openly support terrorist organizations.”
Representatives for Kneecap told The Independent, “[Our] statements aren’t aggressive. Murdering 20,000 children is, though. Or executing 15 medics and burying them and their ambulances.”
According to reports by BBC News, Kneecap member Mo Chara said, “The Palestinians have nowhere to go,” as the band led the audience in a “free, free Palestine” chant. The band concluded their act by projecting a series of messages on the screen which read, “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” “It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes,” and “Fuck Israel. Free Palestine.”
Naoise ó Cairealláin, DJ Provaí and Mo Chara of Kneecap pose at the Britain Independent Film Awards on Dec. 8, 2024, in London. Thomas Krych/Invision/AP
The British-American TV personality condemned Coachella, calling it “a festival that compromised its moral and spiritual integrity.” She criticized Goldenvoice, the festival’s organizer by claiming they allowed “artists to use the Coachella stage as a platform for political expression.”
Osbourne, whose husband Ozzy Osbourne famously sang the anti-war song “War Pigs,” claimed that “music should serve as an escape, not a stage for political discourse.” She and the world-famous heavy metal singerslammed President Donald Trump for using his hit song, “Crazy Train,” during the 2020 presidential election.
“While festivals like Coachella showcase remarkable talent from around the globe, music’s primary purpose is to unite people,” Osbourne wrote. “It should not be a venue for promoting terrorist organizations or spreading hate.”
Osbourne went on to condemn Green Day, who also denounced Israel during their performance at Coachella.
“While I respect their right to express their opinions, such discussions would have been more appropriate at their own concert, not at a festival,” Osbourne said.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Goldenvoice was “blindsided” by Kneecap’s performance. However, Osbourne alleged that the organizers supported the band’s message by allowing them to continue to perform.
“I know for a fact that certain people in the industry had written to Goldenvoice, airing their concerns around the booking of Kneecap. I urge you to join me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap’s work visa,” Osbourne said.
