Antisemitic Incidents Spike After Bob Vylan's Glastonbury Performance, Charity Reports Reports of antisemitic incidents in the UK surged following a controversial performance by punk duo Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival in June, according to the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that monitors antisemitism in the UK. The CST reported 1,521 antisemitic incidents in the first half of 2025, the second-highest figure recorded for this period, highlighting what the organization describes as "extreme levels of Jew-hatred."

While the overall number represents a decrease of approximately 25% compared to the record high in the first half of the previous year, the CST emphasized that antisemitic incidents "remain shamefully and persistently high." Home Secretary Yvette Cooper echoed these concerns, acknowledging the concerning persistence of such incidents and crimes.

Glastonbury Performance Linked to Surge The CST report revealed that the highest daily total of reported incidents, 26, occurred on June 29th, the day after Bob Vylan's performance at Glastonbury. During their set, which was streamed live on BBC iPlayer, the duo led a chant of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]" and made other comments that were widely criticized as antisemitic.

The BBC and Glastonbury issued apologies following the performance, and a police investigation is ongoing. The CST stated that the reported incidents were directly linked to anti-Jewish reactions to both the Glastonbury performance and the CST's subsequent statement on social media, which condemned the chants as "utterly chilling."

Contextualizing the Rise in Antisemitism The rise in antisemitic incidents is not solely attributable to the Glastonbury performance. The CST report also highlighted the influence of events in Israel and Palestine on anti-Jewish sentiment in the UK. The second-highest daily total of incidents, 19, occurred on May 17th, the day after Israel announced an expansion of its military operation in Gaza.

"Both of these cases illustrate how sentiment and rhetoric towards Israel and Zionism influence, shape and drive contemporary anti-Jewish discourse, online and offline, often around totemic events that grab mainstream public attention," the CST stated.

According to the CST, just over half (51%) of all incidents in the first half of 2025 "referenced or were linked to Israel, Palestine, the Hamas terror attack (of 7 October 2023) or the subsequent outbreak of conflict."

The Broader Picture: Antisemitism in Entertainment and the Arts The incident involving Bob Vylan highlights a complex and ongoing debate surrounding the role of entertainment and the arts in addressing, and potentially exacerbating, antisemitism. Dr. Miriam Stein, a professor of contemporary Jewish history at University College London, notes that "Historically, the arts have often served as a platform for both challenging and reinforcing prejudices. The key lies in the intent and the impact of the message conveyed. In this instance, the ambiguity surrounding the chant and the subsequent reactions underscore the sensitivity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on Jewish communities worldwide."

The incident also raises questions about the responsibilities of broadcasters and festival organizers in ensuring that performances do not incite hatred or discrimination. "Broadcasters and event organizers have a duty of care to ensure that their platforms are not used to promote hate speech," argues David Hirsh, a sociologist specializing in antisemitism. "This requires a careful consideration of the potential impact of artistic expression, particularly when dealing with politically charged issues."

Bob Vylan's Response Following media coverage of their Glastonbury set, Bob Vylan released a statement clarifying their position: "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine."

Ongoing Challenges The CST's report underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Jewish communities in the UK. With an average of 8.4 antisemitic incidents reported per day in the first six months of the year, addressing antisemitism requires a multi-faceted approach involving law enforcement, education, and community engagement.

Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas's attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken to Gaza as hostages. According to the territory's health ministry, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel's military campaign.