Kneecap slam ‘outrageous claims’ after being banned from entering Canada
'Wholly untrue and deeply malicious' the group wrote on social media.
Kneecap have hit back at the Canadian Government, after being banned from entering the country for allegedly ‘glorifying terrorist organisations’.
The Irish rap trio, who have become known for their pro-Palestine stance, called the claims ‘wholly untrue and deeply malicious’.
The music group were planning to perform a set of shows in Canada in October including two in Toronto and two in Vancouver.
The video statement by Canada’s parliamentary secretary Vince Gasparro said the ban was due to the group ‘engaging in actions and making statements that are contrary to Canadian values and laws’
The trio responded to Gasparro in a post on Instagram, calling the comments ‘wholly untrue and deeply malicious’.
Kneecap has shared they will launch legal action (Picture: Getty)It continued: ‘No member of Kneecap has been convicted of ANY crime in ANY country EVER.
‘Whilst you outrageously try to claim we are antisemitic the Times newspaper in England today wrote of our headline show in London last night as “emphatically anti-sectarian”.’
They then announced their plan to take legal action and ‘beat’ them in court, promising to send any money to support child amputees in Gaza.
The group also revealed to Canadian fans they had provided additional information requested by the immigration authorities.
The Irish rap trio will tour around the UK in November (Picture: Getty)‘It is our view that when they realised there was no legal basis on which to stop us that they today, via Vince Gasparro, sought to maliciously misrepresent Kneecap.
‘We have played in Canada many times with zero issues and a message of solidarity and love. We are sorry we cannot be with you next month but we will not be silenced and will always oppose genocide,’ they concluded.
Vince Gasparro shared a statement on social media denying their entry (Picture: Toronto Star via Getty Images)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. Vince Gasparro (@vgasparro) September 19, 2025
Gasparro’s statement, uploaded on September 19, said that ‘the group have amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
‘These are not expressions of art or legitimate political critique, they are dangerous endorsements of violence and hate. Notably, one member of the band is currently facing terrorism related charges in the United Kingdom.’
Gasparro said ’advocating for political violence, glorifying terrorist organisations and displaying hate symbols that directly target the Jewish community’ are not protected forms of expression and ‘will not be tolerated’.
Over the spring, there were calls for the group’s US visas to be revoked following their provocative Coachella set.
Ultimately, they were forced to cancel their tour due to a scheduled court appearance in London in August.
Most recently, they publicly showed support for the band the Mary Wallopers, who claimed their set at Victorious Festival in Portsmouth had been cut short after they unveiled a Palestine flag.
‘Speak up against genocide in England and you’re treated like a criminal. Up the Mary Wallopers. Free Palestine,’ they wrote on X at the time.
In November, Kneecap are travelling across the UK with gigs in Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle and Glasgow.
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