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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIrish-speaking rap group Kneecap performs at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK in June 2025. The trio was banned from Canada on Friday ahead of their October tour dates there.Leon Neal\/Getty Images<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Irish rap group Kneecap have been banned from entering Canada ahead of their tour of the country on the grounds of alleged \u201chate speech\u201d and \u201cglorification of terrorism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRecently the rap group Kneecap has engaged in actions and made statements that are contrary to Canadian values and laws that have caused deep alarm to our government,\u201d Parliamentary Secretary for Combatting Crime Vince Gasparro said in a video<\/a> announcing the ban Friday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe group have amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas,\u201d Gasparro said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lawmaker noted that one member of Kneecap is facing terrorism-related charges in the UK. He also claimed that the band displayed \u201chate symbols that directly target the Jewish community,\u201d though he did not specify what these were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat is why, as parliamentary secretary for combatting crime, I am announcing that effective immediately, the members of Kneecap have been deemed ineligible to enter Canada,\u201d Gasparro said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They were due to perform<\/a> in Toronto and Vancouver starting October 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kneecap<\/a> responded to Gasparro\u2019s allegations in a statement issued on X, calling the lawmaker\u2019s claims \u201cwholly untrue and deeply malicious\u201d and announcing that they intend to file \u201clegal action\u201d against Gasparro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen we beat you in court, which we will,\u201d the Belfast-based group said, \u201cWe will donate every cent to assist some of the thousands of child amputees in Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The band further claimed that \u201csignificant Zionist lobbying groups\u201d had pressured the Canadian government, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs<\/a> and two others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CIJA\u2019s spokesperson Nicole Amiel told CNN Friday that CIJA had been \u201cvery vocal about them not being allowed to come into Canada.\u201d In a statement<\/a> Friday, the group welcomed Gasparro\u2019s announcement as the \u201cright decision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n CNN has also reached out to Kneecap\u2019s management and Gasparro for further comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is only the latest controversy involving the outspoken Irish-speaking rap group, which was formed in Northern Ireland in 2017 and been praised for their efforts to revitalize the Irish language through hip hop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The trio frequently speaks out against Israel\u2019s actions in Gaza, often leading crowds in chants of \u201cFree Palestine\u201d at their shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The British government has accused<\/a> one member, Liam \u00d3g \u00d3 hAnnaidh, of displaying a Hezbollah flag at a 2024 concert in violation of UK terror laws, in a case that is currently in the courts, with the next hearing on September 26.(CNN<\/strong>, September 19, 2025)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Irish rap group Kneecap have been banned from entering Canada By Max Saltman 10 hr ago Irish-speaking rap group Kneecap performs at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK in June 2025. The trio was banned from Canada on Friday ahead … Continue reading