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British punk duo Bob Vylan has hit back at critics after their Glastonbury performance sparked fierce backlash — and a criminal investigation — over pro-Palestine chants, including a crowd-led call of “Death to the IDF.”

Following statements from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a Metropolitan Police probe, the band issued a fiery statement online addressing the controversy, insisting they are being scapegoated for highlighting Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

“Not the first. Not the last,” the band began. “Today, a good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace. Last week, it was a Palestine pressure group. The week before that, another band.”

The group denied inciting hate against any community, saying they are “not for the death of Jews, Arabs, or any other race or group of people,” but rather for “the dismantling of a violent military machine.”

Their statement comes days after footage of their Glastonbury set showed frontman Bobby Vylan encouraging chants of “Free Palestine” and criticising the Israeli military. The chant that has drawn the most criticism — “Death to the IDF” — was echoed by members of the audience.

The band’s comments have been labelled “deeply disturbing” by British politicians and pro-Israel advocacy groups.

“We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story,” Bob Vylan wrote. “And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.”

“The government doesn’t want us to ask why they remain silent in the face of this atrocity. To ask why they aren’t doing more to stop the killing? To feed the starving?”

The duo also called on others to join them in speaking out. “We are being targeted for speaking up. We are not the first. We will not be the last. And if you care for the sanctity of human life and freedom of speech, we urge you to speak up too. Free Palestine.”