Kneecap condemn “hate filled” Viktor Orbán at Sziget following ban from Hungary

Posted On August 12, 2025August 12, 2025

Despite being banned from Hungary, causing their set at Sziget to be cancelled, Kneecap delivered a powerful written message condemning Viktor Orbán’s regime at the festival.

On July 24th, Hungary’s Secretary of State for International Communication, Zoltan Kovacs, announced that the Irish trio had been banned from entering the European country for three years.

Kovacs alleged that Kneecap performing at Sziget “normalizes hate and terror, and puts democratic values on the line”.

In response, Kneecap claimed “there is no legal basis for his actions” and labelled their ban a “political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.”

Additionally, the festival condemned the decision, which they called “an unprecedented move which we believe is both unnecessary and regrettable.”

As they were unable to perform, Kneecap delivered a written message, which was aired on The Buzz Stage at 23:05 on August 11th. Their statement began, “Hello Sziget. We hope you’re all enjoying the festival and staying safe. We wish we could be there with you at one of the best festivals in the world and the first European festival Kneecap ever played. We can’t because of one hate-filled man. Viktor Orbán.” The mention of Orbán’s name was met by a chorus of boos from the Hungarian crowd.

Kneecap’s message continued: “We have been convicted of zero crimes in any country ever. But we will call out oppression. For calling out Israel’s genocidal campaign Viktor has banned us from your beautiful country for three years. Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinian people. Viktor Orbán and his government support it.”

They concluded: “Viktor Orbán and his government tried to shut down Pride (worded in rainbow font) in Budapest. They failed. We must stand together. Oppose Orbán. Oppose Israel. Oppose genocide. Free Palestine. Tíocgaidh ár lá.”

Following the end of the message on screen, the crowd at the Hungarian festival launched into a chant of ‘Free Palestine’, before the music video for their latest single ‘The Recap’ played.

Similarly, last week, Kneecap’s scheduled show in Vienna was cancelled following pressure from the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria political party. In response, Kneecap announced a show on September 1st, the day of the cancelled concert, in Warsaw, and described the Vienna incident as a “political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.”

The band’s Mo Chara, full name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on August 20th after being charged in May with a terror offence for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert.

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