Arabic version: سنغافورة تمنع «ماسيف أتاك» بسبب العلم الفلسطيني

According to The Guardian, British trip-hop band Massive Attack has been barred from performing in Singapore after two members unfurled a Palestinian flag during a concert. Police said the two members were issued “stern warnings” and barred from re-entering the city-state, though they were not named.

Singapore prohibits the open display of foreign flags, national emblems and banners without a permit. Police said the concert organiser had previously acknowledged the event’s licence conditions, but two band members held a foreign flag on stage and one shouted “Free Palestine”.

A video circulating online showed two members of the band unfurling the Palestinian flag to loud and prolonged audience cheers. After completing an investigation and consulting state prosecutors, police said they issued the warnings and imposed the entry bans.

The media regulator was also investigating possible licensing-condition breaches. Police said the regulator would not grant future applications for Massive Attack performances in Singapore because of the entry ban.

Massive Attack is known for criticising Israel’s military actions in Gaza and supporting the Palestinian cause. The band had not made a public comment, while the concert promoter had not responded to an AFP request for comment at the time of publication. Police urged the public, including foreigners, not to import foreign politics, saying this could undermine social cohesion and the rule of law.