Police are under scrutiny following the announcement that rapper Bobby Vylan will not face charges over chants of “death to the IDF” at the Glastonbury Festival.

Jewish organizations have expressed concern, stating that the decision to drop charges against Vylan sends a troubling message, particularly at a sensitive time.

Known by his real name, Pascal Robinson-Foster, Vylan led the audience in chanting “death, death to the IDF” during the Bob Vylan duo’s performance at the June festival.

This prompted Avon and Somerset Police to initiate a criminal investigation, led by a senior detective, to assess the situation.

However, authorities announced that there is “insufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction,” leading them not to pursue the case further.

In response to the decision, the duo expressed hope that it will encourage others in the UK and globally to speak out about the situation in Palestine.

The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, said: ‘It is incredibly disappointing that the police and CPS have decided not to charge in this case, particularly when police forces in London and Manchester are adopting a stronger approach to tackling hateful rhetoric.

‘It sends completely the wrong message at the worst possible time.’

In a post on X, the embassy of Israel in London also criticised the decision by Avon and Somerset Police.

It said: ‘It is deeply disappointing that vile calls for violence, repeated openly and without remorse, continue to fall on deaf ears. Especially in the wake of the terror attacks in Manchester and Bondi, when will such calls finally be recognised for what they are: a real and dangerous instigator of bloodshed?’

Bobby Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, led crowds shouting ‘death, death to the IDF’ during the duo’s show at Glastonbury in June

The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) said in a statement: ‘British Jews will be furious but not in the least surprised.

‘Over the last two years, trust in the authorities has collapsed. With most British Jews now considering whether they have a future in the UK at all, over and over again it falls to us to explore all legal avenues to take action because the authorities will not.’

The response from both charities came after Avon and Somerset Police issued a statement saying the force was bringing its own investigation to a close.

It said: ‘No further action will be taken on the basis there is insufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction.’

The force said it conducted a voluntary interview with a man in his mid-30s in November over the incident.

It added: ‘The comments made on Saturday June 28 drew widespread anger, proving that words have real-world consequences.

‘We believe it is right this matter was comprehensively investigated, every potential criminal offence was thoroughly considered and we sought all the advice we could to ensure we made an informed decision.’

In a post on X, the embassy of Israel in London also criticised the decision by Avon and Somerset Police

In its own statement, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stressed this was a decision made by Avon and Somerset Police.

A spokesman said: ‘We recognise the strength of public feeling about comments made during Bob Vylan’s set at Glastonbury Festival in June, particularly among the Jewish community.

‘We provided early investigative advice to Avon and Somerset Police on what evidence might be needed to meet the legal test for charging but we have not been asked to make a charging decision in this case.

‘A number of offences were considered which each have evidential requirements to prove but Avon and Somerset Police have concluded there is insufficient evidence for there to be any realistic prospect of conviction and will take no further action.’

In a statement posted to X, the duo said: ‘The arrival of the news that no further action will be taken against any member of Bob Vylan regarding our Glastonbury performance in June 2025, should be something we as a band find celebration in. But the fact is, the criminal investigation of the chant was never warranted in the first place.

‘Over the past six months, the media and politicians have consistently attacked us for using our art and platform to take a stand against the actions of Israel and its illegal occupying military force.

‘For the past six months, Avon and Somerset Police have investigated a small segment of a performance that was evidently not hateful, but was a display of solidarity with the Palestinian people.’

It added: ‘We hope that this news inspires others in the UK and around the world to speak up, and continue speaking up, in support of the Palestinian people, without fear. We have had our shows cancelled, visas revoked, our names tarnished and our lives upended, but what we have lost in peace and security, we have gained tenfold in spirit and camaraderie. And that is unbreakable.’