A decision by police not to pursue criminal charges following an investigation into chants led by rapper Bob Vylan at last year's Glastonbury Festival has been met with sharp criticism from leading Jewish charities.
The Incident and Police Investigation
During a performance in June, the artist, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, led the crowd in repeated chants of "death, death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Forces. The incident, which occurred on Saturday 28 June, prompted Avon and Somerset Police to launch a criminal inquiry overseen by a senior detective.
In November, a man in his mid-30s was interviewed voluntarily in connection with the case. However, on Tuesday 23 December 2025, the force announced it was closing the investigation. A police statement confirmed "no further action will be taken on the basis there is insufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction".
Charities Voice Anger and Disappointment
The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity dedicated to protecting Jewish communities across the UK, expressed profound disappointment. A spokesperson told the Press Association the decision "sends completely the wrong message at the worst possible time".
The charity contrasted the approach of Avon and Somerset Police with what it described as stronger stances taken by forces in London and Manchester against hateful rhetoric. The sentiment was echoed by a second organisation, the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).
The CAA stated that British Jews would be "furious but not in the least surprised", adding that trust in authorities had collapsed over the preceding two years. The statement highlighted a growing sentiment within the community about their future in the UK, noting it often falls to charities to pursue legal avenues when authorities do not.
Official Responses and Broader Context
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) clarified its role, confirming it had provided early investigative advice to police on the evidence required for a potential charge. However, the final decision not to proceed was made by Avon and Somerset Police. A CPS spokesperson acknowledged the "strength of public feeling", particularly within the Jewish community.
The Israeli embassy in London also criticised the outcome via social media platform X. Its post questioned when calls for violence would be recognised as "a real and dangerous instigator of bloodshed", especially following recent terror attacks in Manchester and Bondi.
In its concluding remarks, Avon and Somerset Police defended its thorough investigation, stating it was right to comprehensively examine the matter as the comments had "drawn widespread anger, proving that words have real-world consequences".
