Massive Attack members banned from Singapore after waving Palestinian flag

Two members of British band Massive Attack will not be allowed to enter Singapore again after waving a Palestinian flag onstage at the end of a concert in the country. The two musicians received “stern warnings” from the authorities, while the band itself will no longer be permitted to perform in Singapore, the Singapore Police Force and the country’s media regulator announced. The incident occurred Wednesday during the group’s concert in Singapore. Video circulated online shows two members of the band unfolding the flag onstage as the audience cheered for an extended period. According to the authorities, one of them also shouted, “Free Palestine.” After an investigation and consultation with prosecutors, officials decided to issue formal warnings and bar the two musicians from entering the country in the future. Their identities were not officially released. However, footage circulating on social media appears to show two of the band’s founding members, Daddy G, whose real name is Grant Marshall, and 3D, Robert Del Naja, holding the flag during the performance. Singapore prohibits the public display of flags, national symbols and banners representing foreign countries without prior authorization. Authorities said the band members’ actions were suspected of expressing support for a political cause. The Infocomm Media Development Authority is also examining whether the concert violated the conditions of the license granted to its organizers. Following the entry ban imposed on the musicians, the regulator said it would not approve future applications for Massive Attack concerts in the country. “The police take a serious view of acts that may undermine racial and religious harmony in Singapore,” the police and media authority said in a joint statement. Officials urged both members of the public and foreign visitors to refrain from “bringing foreign politics” into Singapore, arguing that doing so could undermine social cohesion and the rule of law. In 2023, following the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas, Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry warned against displaying symbols connected to the conflict, which it described as an “emotionally charged issue.” Massive Attack, founded in Bristol in 1988, has long been associated with political statements and activism, particularly support for the Palestinian cause and sharp criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. During the Singapore concert, videos were screened addressing wars and crises in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, as well as the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran. In April, Del Naja was arrested along with more than 200 protesters during a demonstration in London supporting the group Palestine Action. Neither the band nor the concert’s producers had responded to the Singapore authorities’ decision. According to Reuters, the band had not issued a comment at the time of publication.