Massive Attack have released a statement supporting Belfast rap trio KNEECAP amid controversy about their outspoken stance on Palestine.

"KNEECAP are not the story. Gaza is the story. Genocide is the story," wrote the band on social media. "And the silence, acquiescence and support of those crimes against humanity by the elected British government is the real story."

"Solidarity with all artists with the moral courage to speak out against Israeli war crimes, and the ongoing persecution and slaughter of the Palestinian people," they added.

Massive Attack's statement follows criticism from British MPs in the UK House of Commons, questioning whether KNEECAP's upcoming performance at Glastonbury should be cancelled. The Belfast rap trio were also recently dropped by Eden Project's Eden Sessions concerts in Cornwall, and by Germany's Hurricane and Southside festivals.

It was reported in recent days that British counter-terrorism police were investigating footage from two separate KNEECAP gigs. One allegedly featured a band member shouting "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah," while the other video appeared to show a member stating: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."

The footage surfaced shortly after one of the trio's performances in Coachella earlier this month, where they displayed messages such as "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people" and "Fuck Israel, Free Palestine."

On Tuesday night, manager Daniel Lambert appeared on RTÉ's Prime Time to defend the band. In conversation with Miriam O'Callaghan, Lambert said that "at every point, (KNEECAP) have the absolute conviction that they are doing the right thing and they stand on the right side of history."

Read Massive Attack's full statement below:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Massive Attack (@massiveattackofficial)