LAST UPDATE | 19 Sep 2025

BELFAST RAP TRIO Kneecap have been banned from entering Canada for “glorifying terrorist organisations” ahead of their four scheduled gigs in Toronto and Vancouver next month.

In a video posted to his X account today, Canadian MP Vince Gasparro accused the group of: “Advocating for political violence, glorifying terrorist organisations and displaying hate symbols that directly target the Jewish community”.

Kneecap has said they are taking legal action against Gasparro for the “wholly untrue and deeply malicious” comments.

In a post on Instagram the group said: “We will be relentless in defending ourselves against baseless accusations to silence our opposition to a genocide being committed by Israel”.

Gasparro, who is Canadian Parliamentary Secretary for Combating Crime, said: “On behalf of the Government of Canada I am announcing that on the advice of our officials, we have deemed the group Kneecap ineligible to enter our country.”

“The group have amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas,” he said.

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A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32)

The rap trio accused Zionist lobby groups of influencing the Canadian government’s decisions.

They said they will donate any money won from a potential court case to injured children in Gaza.

In a message directed towards their fans, the group apologised for not being able to play at the October gigs, but reaffirmed their commitment not to be silenced.

Kneecap’s manager Daniel Lambert called Gasparro’s comments, “Outrageous baseless accusations against three lads with zero convictions in any country ever.”

On behalf of the Government of Canada I am announcing that on the advice of our officials, we have deemed the group Kneecap ineligible to enter our country.

Our government will not tolerate the advocating of political violence, terrorism or Anti-Semitism and hate more broadly. pic.twitter.com/3KOf84G3bZ

— Vince Gasparro (@vgasparro) September 19, 2025

Kneecap previously cancelled 15 sold-out US tour dates scheduled for October, citing the timing of an upcoming court hearing for band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh in London.

Ó hAnnaidh, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged in England in May, accused of displaying a flag of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah during a London concert last November.

He denies the offence, and the band insist its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah.

The case was adjourned until 26 September, with Ó hAnnaidh released on unconditional bail until then.

Kneecap’s first US tour date had been set for 1 October, with 15 shows planned across 14 American cities.