Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak Calls on Federal Government to Ban Kneecap From Entering the Country

On Monday (July 21), Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak called for Irish rap group Kneecap to be banned from entering Canada.

For months, the hip-hop trio has experienced backlash due to their vocal pro-Palestine stance. The band has made countless statements criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza and has condemned the United Kingdom and the United States for their support of Israel.

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Kneecap first displayed pro-Palestine messaging during their Coachella sets in April. The group went on to face criticism from several industry figures, including Sharon Osbourne, who called for their U.S. visas to be retracted.

In June, the Northern Ireland group took the West Holts stage at Glastonbury with a performance that is currently under police investigation, alongside British punk rap duo Bob Vylan, who led a “death to the IDF” chant. That same month, group member Mo Chara was released on bail for a terror charge in the U.K. for allegedly flying a Hezbollah flag at their performance in London last November.

“The last thing we need in Toronto is a music group that incites violence and spreads hate. We are simply asking the Federal government to deny entry to 'Kneecap' so our city and country can be spared the spreading of demonization and bigotry that we are working so hard to eliminate,” the York-Centre councillor

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Kneecap is set to perform two sold-out concerts at Toronto’s History venue on October 14 and 15 and on October 22 and 23 at Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre.

Earlier this month, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) appealed to the Canadian government to bar Kneecap and Bob Vylan from performing in the country.

While Bob Vylan has no scheduled Canadian dates, in June, the duo had their U.S. visas revoked after their Glastonbury set. Liberal MP Anthony Housefather supported the visa decision, saying Canada should follow suit. A representative for Immigration Minister Lina Diab said, due to privacy legislation, the government is unable to comment on individual cases.