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

Disputed Chant and Political Reactions

This vocal music pair ignited significant debate when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This chant was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a planned North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the criticism the band faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some conservative official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Response and BBC Comments

This artist said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the network's airing of the performance violated content standards in regard to harm and hurt.

He informed the host there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

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

His comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the politics of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he intended by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the situation that persist to allow that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. Where the local people are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also rejected claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish safety group, that their performance contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish events recorded two days.

"I believe I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of people going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Artists

When Vylan mentioned he thought the band had been criticised more severely than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host brought up the Irish group Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "because as with all things race comes to play a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."