Kneecap, Fontaines D.C. and more form alliance of artists speaking up for Palestine

KNEECAP and Fontaines D.C. are among the musicians announcing the formation of an alliance for artists speaking out for Gaza.

KNEECAP, Fontaines D.C., Massive Attack and Brian Eno each posted similar graphics on their Instagram accounts last night in which they said "aggressive, vexatious campaigns" had been launched against musicians who speak out against Israel's occupation of Gaza.

"We write as artists who've chosen to use our public platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring there [in Gaza] & the role of the UK government in facilitating it," the post read.

"Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry (live & recorded) & legally via organised bodies such as UK Lawyers for Israel."

The post mentioned a new documentary film released yesterday by Led By Donkeys, which detailed actions taken by UK Lawyers For Israel Ltd. (UKFLI) to cancel events for Palestine or censor public figures speaking out for Palestine. The film, projected onto an office of the British Charity Commission, encouraged the Charity Commission to launch an investigation into the charitable wing of UKFLI who conducted these activities.

In each post's caption, artists tagged Led By Donkeys, which is known for their satirical campaigns against Brexit, the British Conservative Party, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and more.

Watch the film by Led By Donkeys below:

"Having withstood these campaigns of attempted censorship, we won't standby & allow other artists — particularly those at earlier stages of their careers or in other positions of professional vulnerability — to be threatened into silence or career cancellation," the post continued.

The graphic encouraged artists with similar experiences, or those who wish to speak out but are concerned about repercussions, to reach out via an email address with the tagline "ethicalsyndicatepalestine."

See the full post below:

 

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A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32)

UKLFI was responsible for reporting KNEECAP member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, aka Mo Chara, to police after he allegedly held a Hezbollah flag at a past gig, for which he is being charged with terrorism offences.

In May, UKLFI wrote on their website that they had "written to all the venues where Kneecap is set to play this summer" with a list of "offensive and arguably illegal incidents involving the band." UKLFI also claimed they wrote to the police, local council and venue of Glasgow's TRNSMT festival, leading to KNEECAP's removal from the lineup.

On their website, UKLFI wrote that they also reported former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters, Iceland Eurovision entry Hatari, British DJ Wiley and more for supporting Palestine. Massive Attack faced backlash from UKLFI after its criticism of Israel at a June gig.

The Led By Donkeys film suggested that UKLFI conducted many more covert actions against various other acts that support Palestine without publicising the fact.

Lat month, UKLFI additionally reported Bob Vylan to police after the band led anti-IDF chants during their Glastonbury set as well as the BBC for broadcasting said performance. A criminal investigation by the Avon and Somerset Police was launched into both Bob Vylan's and KNEECAP's Glastonbury performances.

In a post on X today, KNEECAP shared an email from the police stating that no further action was to be taken in the investigation. KNEECAP noted that while the launch of the investigation was widely publicised, the end of the investigation was only shared in a private email.

One element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over.

We played a historic set at Glastonbury. Whole area closed an hour before due to crowds. A celebration of love and solidarity. A sea of good people at the world's most famous festival.

Shortly afterwards we… pic.twitter.com/S0BsMeOM83

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) July 18, 2025