Bob Vylan lead singer Bobby Vylan. Photo: BANG Showbiz via Reuters Connect

London’s Metropolitan Police Service said on Thursday that authorities will take no further action against the lead singer of the British punk rap duo Bob Vylan after the lead singer chanted “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]” at a pro-Palestinian rally in central London.

Pascal Robinson-Foster, also known by his stage name Bobby Vylan, led the audience in chanting the anti-Israeli remark while performing on March 15 at an Al Quds Day rally, marking the end of Ramadan. Demonstrators at the event chanted “Death to America,” “Death to Israel,” “Smash the Zionist settler state,” and “Yalla yalla intifada,” according to the Combat Antisemitism Movement.

Police arrested 12 people during the demonstration for “alleged support for a proscribed organization” and threatening or “abusive behavior.” Police also launched an investigation into Robinson-Foster for making the “Death to the IDF” remark.

“We take reports like this incredibly seriously and we recognize the concerns caused, particularly among London’s Jewish communities,” a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said in a statement on Thursday. “Early investigative advice was sought from the Crown Prosecution Service. Following consideration of that advice, officers have concluded that no further action will be taken. We continue to work closely with community representatives to ensure the safety and security of Jewish Londoners.”

Robinson-Foster responded to the news in statements on social media. “Maybe now you can stop the harassment and do some real work,” he wrote on X, addressing police.

“The harassment by the Met Police has been constant, multiple investigations, stopping me for no good reason, and circulating information about the band internally including an image of me which wasn’t necessary to include,” he added in a post on Instagram. “Despite all of this, I will not be intimidated. We continue!”

The artist has made the “Death to the IDF” remark in the past as well. When Bob Vylan performed at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England, in June 2025, Robinson-Foster led the audience in chanting the anti-IDF comment. The BBC apologized for live steaming the set and the band’s “offensive and deplorable behavior” after facing heavy criticism.

After the incident at Glastonbury, Bob Vylan was dropped from a number of festivals, had concerts canceled, and the US revoked their visas, which prevented them from embarking on their concert tour around the country. Avon and Somerset Police in the UK launched an investigation into the “death to the IDF” comment made by Robinson-Foster at Glastonbury but ultimately ruled in December of last year to take no further action against the musician.

Robinson-Foster appeared on Louis Theroux’s podcast in October 2025 and said he was “not regretful” about making the anti-Israeli remark and would “do it again tomorrow.” He also insisted in a post on X that there “was nothing antisemitic or criminal about anything I said at Glastonbury.”

Robinson-Foster also shouted “Death, death to the IDF” and encouraged audience members to “fight” Zionists when Bob Vylan performed in the Netherlands in September 2025. The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) ruled that his comments were not punishable by law.