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Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

This outspoken music pair ignited widespread controversy when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. This slogan was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the members' travel documents, compelling the duo to cancel a scheduled North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his initial public discussion after the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

On the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the significance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Comments

The musician said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that members of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's ECU later determined that the BBC's broadcast of the show breached editorial guidelines in regard to offense and offence.

He informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. Where the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set led to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents reported two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

When Vylan said he felt the band had been targeted more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have likewise encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "since as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the enemy."