The Metropolitan Police is facing criticism after opening a new investigation into musician Bob Vylan over his “Death to the IDF” chant at the Al Quds Day protest yesterday, despite a previous police probe into the same chant being dropped last year.
The rapper, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, led the chant during a speech at a pro-Palestinian rally marking Al-Quds Day in central London on Saturday.
Police said they were reviewing footage from the event to determine whether any offences may have been committed in relation to public-order laws.
The chant referenced the Israel Defense Forces, Israel’s military which is widely accused of genocide in Gaza and other war crimes.
The investigation has drawn scrutiny because a similar chant led by Vylan during a performance at the Glastonbury Festival in 2025 was previously investigated by Avon and Somerset Police. After reviewing the incident, authorities concluded that the remarks did not meet the legal threshold for prosecution and no charges were brought.
Critics say the decision by the Met to examine the same phrase again risks undermining confidence in consistent policing.
A spokesperson for the civil liberties group Liberty said repeated investigations into speech that had already been assessed by police could create a chilling effect on protest rights.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
“Police previously concluded this chant did not meet the criminal threshold,” the spokesperson said. “Reopening scrutiny over the same words risks giving the impression that controversial political speech is being policed because of pressure or public outrage rather than clear legal standards.”
Free-speech advocates have also raised concerns that the investigation could amount to disproportionate policing of protest activity.
A representative of Index on Censorship said the move risked setting a troubling precedent.
“Launching new investigations into the same expression every time it is repeated sends a worrying signal for freedom of expression,” the group said.
Others, including some politicians and community organisations, have argued the chant could amount to incitement to violence against Israeli soldiers and should be examined by authorities.
The Metropolitan Police Service said it was aware of footage circulating online and that officers were assessing it in line with legislation covering public-order offences.
“No further action has been taken at this stage,” the force said in a statement.
