The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into chants of “death, death to the IDF” led by rapper Bobby Vylan at a demonstration in London.
The artist, real name Pascal Robinson-Foster, was appearing as a speaker at Al Quds Day – an annual event held to show solidarity with Palestinian people – when he repeated his controversial Glastonbury chant.
The crowd at the static rally in central London on Sunday appeared to join in.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “We are aware of chanting made by a speaker at the Al Quds protest and will be investigating.
“We recognise the concern footage and chanting like this causes, particularly with London’s Jewish communities.
“When this language had been used previously we sought advice from the CPS who determined that there would be insufficient evidence to take a case forward.”
The force confirmed the investigation was in relation to the “death, death to the IDF” chant.
A crisis last year unfolded at the BBC after a live broadcast of Bob Vylan‘s Glastonbury set featured the punk duo’s vocalist leading a “death to the IDF” chant.
Avon and Somerset Police said a criminal investigation was underway shortly afterwards but decided in December last year that Vylan would not face further action.
“We have concluded, after reviewing all the evidence, that it does not meet the criminal threshold outlined by the CPS for any person to be prosecuted,” it said.
The Met Police took no further action after investigating a video from May 2025 which appeared to show the rapper saying: “Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel.”
The force said 12 arrests were made on Sunday, as the Al Quds Day demonstration and a counter-protest took place.
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Scotland Yard had braced for a “difficult public order” environment, with at least 1,000 officers drafted in.
Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “We saw significantly fewer people attend than we had anticipated. The restrictions and conditions meant many people chose to stay away and not to attend the protest or counter-protest.
“This shows our decision to apply for the ban was the right one. A static protest meant it was easier for officers to keep the two groups apart and prevent serious public disorder.”
He continued: “We made 12 arrests including for showing support for a proscribed organisation, affray and for threatening or abusive behaviour. We are also investigating chants made by a speaker at the Al Quds protest.
“As I said from the outset, the decision to ban the protest march does not set a precedent and we will continue to consider each protest on a case-by-case basis.”
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The Al Quds Day march is held in London annually but has drawn criticism over its organisers’ apparent backing for Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Met Police obtained a ban against this year’s march and organisers instead planned a static demonstration.
