The UK’s chief rabbi has strongly criticised “the airing of vile Jew-hate at Glastonbury” after a live broadcast of Bob Vylan’s performance at the festival went out on the BBC, during which the band’s singer led the crowd in chants of “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]”.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis wrote on X:, external “This is a time of national shame. The airing of vile Jew-hatred at Glastonbury and the BBC’s belated and mishandled response, brings confidence in our national broadcaster’s ability to treat antisemitism seriously to a new low.

“It should trouble all decent people that now, one need only couch their outright incitement to violence and hatred as edgy political commentary, for ordinary people to not only fail to see it for what it is, but also to cheer it, chant it and celebrate it. Toxic Jew-hatred is a threat to our entire society.”

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed concern over the situation, saying about the BBC: “When there is one editorial failure, it is something that must be gripped; where there are several, it becomes a problem of leadership.”

She added: “This government supports the BBC… that is why we are so disappointed that this has happened and have been so exasperated with the lack of account from the leadership not just about this, but about a previous Gaza documentary and a number of other issues.

“The BBC is one of the most important institutions in our country and that is why it is held to the highest of standards.”

Bob Vylan responded to the outcry in a post on Instagram on Tuesday, external, saying they had been “targeted for speaking up”.

“We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine,” they said.

Read More: Chief rabbi attacks BBC for airing ‘vile Jew hate’ at Glastonbury