Canada bans Irish pro-Palestinian rap group Kneecap over antisemitism

The federal government has barred the Irish rap group Kneecap from entering Canada, citing what it calls dangerous endorsements of political violence and terrorist groups.

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The federal government has barred the Irish rap group Kneecap from entering Canada, citing what it calls dangerous endorsements of political violence and terrorist groups.

“Recently, the rap group Kneecap has engaged in actions and made statements that are contrary to Canadian values and laws and have caused deep alarm to our government,” Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary for combating crime Vince Gasparro said in a video statement posted to X on Friday.

“The group have amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas. These are not expressions of art or legitimate political critique. They are dangerous endorsements of violence and hate,” he said.

Gasparro said one member of the group is facing terrorism-related charges in the United Kingdom after allegedly raising the flag of a terrorist group officially designated by Canada, Hezbollah, at an event in November 2024.

Gasparro argues that Charter rights of free expression are upheld, but “advocating for political violence, glorifying terrorist organizations, and displaying hate symbols that directly target the Jewish community are not protected forms of expression and will not be tolerated by our government.”

He added that, effective immediately, the members of Kneecap “have been deemed ineligible to enter Canada,” and that “Canada stands firmly against hate speech, incitement to violence, and the glorification of terrorism. Political debate and free speech are vital to our democracy, but open endorsements of terrorist groups are not free speech.”

Gasparro also stressed the government’s resolve to protect Canadians, “and in this instance, Jewish Canadians, from antisemitism and hate more broadly. Let me be clear, Canada is never to be used as a platform for extremism or political violence, and we will not tolerate international conflicts being used as an excuse to intimidate and harass Canadians here at home.”

B’nai Brith Canada, which had publicly urged Ottawa to deny Kneecap entry, welcomed the decision.

“Thank you, Government of Canada, for recognizing the concerns raised by B’nai Brith Canada and the thousands of Canadians who joined our call for Kneecap to be banned from entering Canada,” the organization said in an emailed statement. “When we are united, the voice of grassroots Canadians can make a difference.

“Kneecap, an Irish rap group, has repeatedly glorified violence and extremism—from waving a Hezbollah flag in London to inciting hostile chants at major festivals. Their incitement is not just a danger to the Jewish community; it is a danger to Canadian values and to all Canadians. This decision must serve as precedent. No one should be permitted to use Canada as a platform to indoctrinate Canadians with their extremist and dangerous ideology and to incite hatred in this country.”

Kneecap quickly fired back, posting two statements online accusing Gasparro of making “wholly untrue and deeply malicious” claims.

“No member of Kneecap has been convicted of any crime in any country ever,” the group wrote, adding that they have instructed lawyers to initiate legal action against him.

They argued Gasparro’s comments were an attempt “to silence our opposition to a genocide being committed by Israel” and promised to donate any damages awarded “to assist some of the thousands of child amputees in Gaza.”

In a separate message to Canadian fans, Kneecap alleged that “significant Zionist lobby groups” had influenced Ottawa and said that while they had previously performed in Canada “many times with zero issues,” they would “not be silenced and will always oppose genocide.”