Belfast-based hip hop group Kneecap have made a name for themselves with their incendiary, politically charged barbs. Last week, they made headlines again when one of their members was arrested for waving a Hezbollah flag. Liam O’Hanna, also known as Mo Chara, faces a court appearance on June 18 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The indictment stems from a November 21, 2024 incident. At one such performance, in Kentish town London’s O2 Forum, on 15 March, O’Hanna was said to have waved the flag.
The controversy escalated after Kneecap’s recent performance at the Coachella music festival, where they led the crowd in chanting “Free Free Palestine” and criticized both Israel’s military actions in Gaza and U.S. support for the conflict. The group’s hard-nosed leadership and aggressive rhetoric has earned them plenty of notice and derision.
Daniel Lambert, the band’s manager, responded to the persistent criticism in an interview with Irish public broadcaster RTÉ. He pointed out that the recent charges against O’Hanna point to a larger issue. This is really a matter about artistic expression and freedom of speech. Lambert stated, “has nothing to do with Kneecap… it’s about telling the next young band… that you cannot speak about Palestine.”
Kneecap has been unapologetically outspoken about Israel’s role in the ongoing war on Gaza. This outspokenness has resulted in her targeted investigations by UK counter-terrorism police. This watchfulness came under renewed pressure in 2016, when videos surfaced that seemed to catch O’Hanna calling for violence against British lawmakers. In one clip, he reportedly stated, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP,” which has since circulated widely online.
In response to the backlash, Kneecap defended themselves by claiming that the videos distort their goals. Offline, they described the reaction as a “smear campaign.” They strongly oppose any aid to Hamas or Hezbollah. Rather, they are candidly blogging their ideas about political and policy matters.
The group expressed regret regarding past statements that may have affected the families of British MPs Jo Cox and David Amess, who were murdered in separate incidents. In response to the outcry, Kneecap released an apology for any distress or hurt created by their remarks.
O’Hanna, 27, pictured here (second from right) with Kneecap on March 17, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts. They were politically charged—they vigorously campaigned for their political ideology through their music. As the legal battle continues, the band finds itself at the center of a contentious national conversation. They push against the limits of free speech and draw attention to the obligations of artists in politically loaded contexts.
