OTTAWA — The Canadian government has prohibited the Belfast rap group Kneecap from entering the country, citing the group's endorsement of political violence and terrorism. This decision follows requests from Jewish organizations made in June to ban Kneecap and the English punk-rap duo Bob Vylan due to comments perceived as inciting antisemitism.

Liberal MP Vince Gasparro, who serves as the parliamentary secretary for combating crime, announced the ban in a video posted on social media. He stated that Kneecap has shown “publicly displayed support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas” that exceeds artistic expression. “Canada stands firmly against hate speech, incitement to violence and the glorification of terrorism,” Gasparro said. He emphasized that while political debate and free speech are essential to democracy, endorsing terrorist groups is not protected under free speech.

Kneecap was scheduled to perform in Toronto and Vancouver next month. In response to the ban, the group issued a statement on Instagram, calling Gasparro’s remarks “wholly untrue and deeply malicious.” They announced plans to pursue legal action against him, asserting, “We will be relentless in defending ourselves against baseless accusations to silence our opposition to a genocide being committed by Israel.”

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs welcomed the government's decision, viewing it as a stand against “incitement, hate and radicalization.” B’nai Brith Canada also expressed approval, declaring the decision a victory. They stated that Kneecap has repeatedly glorified violence and extremism, which poses a danger not only to the Jewish community but to Canadian values as a whole.

Kneecap is known for its provocative lyrics and has faced scrutiny for its political statements, which some interpret as glorifying militant groups. One member, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, is currently facing terrorism charges in the U.K. for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag during a performance in London last year.

The ban coincides with new legislation introduced by Justice Minister Sean Fraser, aimed at creating criminal offenses related to promoting hatred against identifiable groups. Gasparro reiterated that the government will not tolerate advocacy for political violence or antisemitism.

Kneecap has denied any support for Hezbollah or Hamas, claiming their critics are attempting to silence their pro-Palestinian stance amid ongoing conflicts in the region. They expressed disappointment to their Canadian fans, stating, “We have played in Canada many times with zero issues and a message of solidarity and love.”

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Canadian government has the authority to deny entry to individuals based on various criteria, including involvement in terrorism or violence. Immigration lawyer Richard Kurland noted that the government’s language regarding inadmissibility is intentionally broad, allowing for decisions based on reasonable suspicion rather than criminal convictions.

Kneecap's ban raises questions about the balance between free expression and national security, particularly in light of ongoing tensions surrounding political discourse and artistic expression.