Massive Attack banned from Singapore after pro-Palestine display at show
The UK band is told not to return to the city-state after shouting "free Palestine" at a gig on Wednesday.
Massive Attack has been barred from Singapore after the British group reportedly displayed pro-Palestinian sentiments during a recent concert in the city-state.
During their performance on Wednesday, the band's two members reportedly unfurled a Palestinian flag and chanted "free Palestine," with some audience members allegedly joining in, according to authorities.
In response, Singapore's police force has prohibited Massive Attack from entering the country in the future. Concurrently, the nation's media regulator stated it would deny any subsequent applications for the band to perform there.
Singapore enforces stringent regulations on public expression and what it defines as demonstrations, asserting that such controls are vital for safeguarding social harmony.
Authorities have previously investigated public events connected to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Earlier this year, several individuals were fined for organizing an unauthorized walk in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
A police spokeswoman informed the BBC that, following an investigation, the two band members received "stern warnings" for alleged offenses under Section 3 of the Foreign National Emblems (Control of Display) Act 1949 and Section 16 of the Public Order Act. These laws generally prohibit the public display of foreign flags and establish conditions for political public events, respectively.
The spokeswoman emphasized that Singapore's police "take a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore." She added, "The peace and harmony between different races and religions in Singapore should not be taken for granted, and we must not let external events affect our society."
Massive Attack is currently on a global tour, with Wednesday's performance being their sole stop in Singapore. Their next scheduled show is in Seoul on Saturday.
The band, credited with pioneering the trip-hop genre, is renowned for its outspoken political stances on various issues, including the conflict in Gaza. Earlier this year, Massive Attack frontman Robert Del Naja was arrested in London while participating in a demonstration. He was accused of supporting Palestine Action, an organization proscribed in the UK.
Singapore has also adopted a firm stance on public expressions of sentiment concerning the Israel-Gaza war. Authorities in the multicultural nation maintain that this is essential for preserving racial and social harmony.
In 2023, the home affairs ministry issued a statement advising against "the public display and wearing of articles" related to the Israel-Gaza war, including foreign national emblems. Singapore police have also initiated investigations into both offline and online events, effectively banning public gatherings associated with the conflict.
The Singaporean government consistently advocates for a "two-state solution," which envisions a Palestinian state coexisting with Israel, and full Palestinian membership in the United Nations.
The police spokeswoman also noted that Singapore's media regulator is still investigating potential breaches of several license conditions imposed on the concert and "will take necessary action" once the investigation concludes. She specified that one such condition stipulated no display of flags "in support of any causes."