Massive Attack band members banned from Singapore after Palestinian flag at concert

Two members of Massive Attack were issued with stern warnings and barred from re-entering Singapore after the British band ended their performance on Wednesday with a display of the Palestinian flag, police said on Friday.

Authorities said the band were investigated for their “actions of support for a political cause and unfurling of a foreign flag” during their concert and will no longer be allowed to perform in Singapore.

“The police take a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore and urge the public, including foreigners, to refrain from importing foreign politics as this can undermine our social cohesion and the rule of law,” the police and media authority said in a joint statement.

Singapore does not allow the public display of foreign national emblems without a permit or exemption, and the Palestinian flag is especially sensitive given the war in Gaza and Singapore’s Muslim population.

In 2023, the home affairs ministry said: “The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict is an emotive issue. We would like to advise against the public display and wearing of articles in relation to the conflict, given the heightened sensitivities.”

“The peace and harmony between different races and religions in Singapore should not be taken for granted, and we must not let events happening externally affect this peace and harmony we have in Singapore.”

Singapore’s resident population is 74 percent Chinese, 13.6 percent Malay, and 9 percent Indian, with 3.3 percent classified as others. Around 15 percent are Muslim.

Massive Attack, formed in Bristol in the west of England in 1988, are known for their outspoken political stances, with videos during their concert highlighting conflicts from the US-Israeli war on Iran, to Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine.

Neither the concert organizer Lushington nor the band immediately responded to a request for comment.