Rap group Kneecap 'ineligible to enter' Canada after 'displaying hate symbols targeting Jewish community,' MP says

Irish rap group Kneecap has been deemed “ineligible to enter” Canada after being accused of “displaying hate symbols that directly target the Jewish community,” and supporting “terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas,” Ontario MP Vince Gasparro announced on Friday.

“Canada stands firmly against hate speech, incitements to violence and the glorification of terrorism,” said Gasparro, who is the parliamentary secretary for combatting crime, in a post on X. The decision to bar the group from Canada was “effective immediately.”

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. pic.twitter.com/3KOf84G3bZ

— Vince Gasparro (@vgasparro) September 19, 2025

He said the group “has engaged in actions and have made statements that are contrary to Canadian values and laws that have caused deep alarm to our government.”

“The group have amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas. These are not expressions of art or legitimate political critique. They are dangerous endorsements of violence and hate,” he said.

Kneecap, made up of three members, were scheduled for concerts in Toronto in mid-October.

There had been outcry from Indigenous leaders and Jewish groups earlier this summer, calling for Kneecap to be barred from entering Canada.

More to come… 

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