Kneecap had their upcoming Canadian exhibits abruptly canceled after the federal authorities barred the Irish Hip-Hop trio from coming into the nation, citing alleged ties to extremist teams.

The resolution, introduced Friday by a prime official, has ignited a tense standoff between the Belfast-based artists and Canadian authorities.

Vince Gasparro, Parliamentary Secretary for Combating Crime, delivered the news in a video posted online.

“Kneecap has engaged in actions and have made statements that are contrary to Canadian values and laws that have caused deep alarm to our government,” Gasparro mentioned. He added that the group “have amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.”

The group, identified for its politically charged lyrics and use of the Irish language, responded swiftly.

“We do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians,” they mentioned. On social media, they referred to as the claims “wholly untrue and deeply malicious” and promised to “be relentless in defending ourselves against baseless accusations to silence our opposition to a genocide being committed by Israel.”

Kneecap—made up of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí—was scheduled to carry out in Toronto and Vancouver subsequent month. The ban has derailed these plans and prompted the group to discover authorized motion.

The controversy follows months of scrutiny over the trio’s political messaging.

Videos surfaced exhibiting members allegedly shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and “the only good Tory is a dead Tory” at performances. One member, Mo Chara, is currently facing terrorism charges in the UK for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a London concert last November.

He is due again in courtroom on September 26.

Their Coachella efficiency earlier this 12 months additionally drew backlash after they led the gang in “Free Palestine” chants and projected messages accusing Israel of genocide.

Sharon Osbourne was amongst those that referred to as for his or her US visas to be revoked.

Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act provides the federal government broad discretion to disclaim entry to overseas nationals suspected of selling violence or terrorism.

Immigration lawyer Richard Kurland advised CBC News that officers can act on “reasonable suspicion” with out the necessity for a prison conviction.

Jewish advocacy group B’nai Brith Canada supported the ban, saying, “Kneecap has repeatedly glorified violence and extremism. Their incitement is not just a danger to the Jewish community, it is a danger to Canadian values and to all Canadians.”

Despite the criticism, the trio has earned reward for revitalizing the Irish language via Hip-Hop. Formed in 2017, Kneecap belongs to the post-Troubles era in Northern Ireland and sometimes weaves political themes into their music.

“It’s impossible not to be political here [in Northern Ireland] if you’re going to speak Irish,” Mo Chara advised NPR in 2023.

Their semi-fictional biopic received a BAFTA award earlier this 12 months they usually carried out at Glastonbury regardless of pushback from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who mentioned their look was “not appropriate.”

The Canadian authorities’s transfer comes as Justice Minister Sean Fraser launched laws to criminalize using terror-related symbols in hate speech.

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