A UK government minister has condemned anti-Israel Defence Forces (IDF) chants heard during performances at Glastonbury Festival, calling them “appalling,” but also issued a sharp rebuke to the Israeli embassy, urging officials to “get your own house in order.”
The remarks follow growing controversy over footage circulating online showing festival crowds and performers chanting slogans critical of Israel’s military actions. Some of the chants specifically targeted the IDF amid ongoing tensions in Gaza.
In a statement, the Israeli embassy described the scenes as “deeply concerning,” accusing performers of fuelling division and spreading hostility towards Israel.
While the UK minister acknowledged the chants were “unacceptable” and risked inflaming community tensions, they also questioned the Israeli government’s response to recent violence in Gaza.
“The scenes at Glastonbury were appalling, and inciting hate has no place in British society,” the minister said. “But the Israeli government should also get its own house in order before pointing fingers, particularly given the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.”
The diplomatic exchange underscores the increasingly polarised debate in the UK over the Israel-Gaza conflict, with criticism mounting on both sides. Pro-Palestinian activists have accused Israel of disproportionate military action, while pro-Israel groups warn that anti-IDF rhetoric risks fuelling antisemitism.
Glastonbury organisers have not formally responded to the controversy but have faced previous scrutiny over political messaging on festival stages.
The incident comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions, with calls for both restraint and accountability as the conflict continues to claim lives on both sides.
