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“Police confirm that reports were lodged and investigations are ongoing,” authorities said after band waved Palestinian flag onstage, a violation of local law
Massive Attack are under investigation in Singapore after showing support for Palestine during their concert Wednesday, a violation of the country’s laws on public speech. Later on Friday, two members from the group were banned from the country.
Local authorities confirmed to Channel News Asia (CNA) that the police and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have opened a probe against the band after Massive Attack reportedly waved a Palestinian flag onstage and led the audience in a “Free Palestine” chant.
“Police confirm that reports were lodged and investigations are ongoing,” authorities told CNA. “IMDA is also investigating a possible breach of licence conditions.”
While Singapore’s national stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict is belief in a “two-state solution” and allowing Palestine to join the United Nations, the country has still clamped down on “the public display and wearing of articles” in relation to the Gaza war, Singapore’s home affairs ministry said in 2023 (via the BBC).
“We must not let events happening externally affect this peace and harmony we have in Singapore,” the home affairs ministry said at the time. Additionally, the Singapore government has barred the public display of foreign national emblems — like the Palestinian flag —without a permit or exemption, which the band reportedly did not have.
Singaporean police now say the group isbanned for now from entering the country. The BBC reports that authorities “would not grant future applications for them to perform there.”
Massive Attack — who are among the more vocal supporters of Palestine in music, with frontman Robert Del Naja arrested earlier this year at a London demonstration — have not yet commented on the investigation, and have not been detained in the investigation. The band is scheduled to perform Saturday, August 1 in Seoul, South Korea.
If charged and found guilty, Massive Attack members face a $390 fine (500 Singapore dollars) and up to six months in prison.