The Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap utilized their platform at Coachella to voice their strong opposition to Israel, prompting a public response from Sharon Osbourne. This prominent figure in the music industry criticized the festival’s organizers for permitting what she described as anti-Israel hate speech to gain exposure. Osbourne articulated her views in a comprehensive social media post, which garnered attention and a supportive share from David Draiman, the lead vocalist of Disturbed.

Details of Kneecap’s Controversial Performance at Coachella

Kneecap performed at the Sonora tent during both weekends of Coachella. Following their first weekend, the band alleged that the festival had suppressed their pro-Palestine messages, including a chant targeting Margaret Thatcher. They hinted at resolving the issue before their second performance with a tweet featuring an emoji of the Palestinian flag.

While the second week’s performance was not streamed live, attendees witnessed their message projected on a large screen behind the band. They expressed their conviction that Israel was committing genocide against the Palestinian people and accused the U.S. government of complicity, culminating in a rallying cry to “Free Palestine” along with another provocative message directed at Israel.

Sharon Osbourne’s Reaction to Coachella and Kneecap’s Actions

Sharon Osbourne, known for her extensive experience in the music industry and as the spouse of Ozzy Osbourne, expressed her discontent through a detailed social media statement. She criticized Coachella for compromising its moral and spiritual integrity by allowing artists to use the festival stage for political statements.

Osbourne declared, “Coachella 2025 will be marked as a festival that sacrificed its ethical values. The festival organizer, Goldenvoice, enabled this by permitting artists like Kneecap to convey aggressive political messages during their performances.” She specifically addressed Kneecap’s actions, which included displaying anti-Israel sentiments and hate speech while insinuating support for terrorist organizations, raising questions about the appropriateness of their inclusion in the festival.

She continued, “Reports suggest that Goldenvoice was unaware of Kneecap’s political agenda when they were initially booked. However, permitting them to perform again after witnessing their first show indicates an endorsement of their rhetoric and a significant lack of due diligence,” Osbourne remarked.

Osbourne then pointed fingers at two influential figures in the music industry. She highlighted that Scooter Braun, a prominent music manager, had expressed support for Goldenvoice CEO Paul Tollett, who was reportedly taken aback by Kneecap’s performance and had attended the Nova Exhibit following the tragic attack by Hamas at the Nova Music Festival.

She stated, “It is hard to fathom how someone who experienced that exhibit firsthand could book a band that supports the actions taken that day and the group accountable for such mass murder. Remarkably, not a single IDF soldier was killed that day; instead, 1,400 innocent civilians lost their lives.”

Osbourne concluded her statement by noting, “The Independent Artists Group, representing Kneecap, includes individuals of Jewish descent. It is unfortunate they have not leveraged their influence to prevent the propagation of such provocative messages. With my background of both Irish Catholic heritage from my mother’s side and Ashkenazi Jewish roots from my father’s side, alongside my extensive experience in the music industry, I recognize the complexities involved. I implore you to join me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap’s work visa.”

READ MORE: Disturbed’s David Draiman Responds to Green Day’s Lyric Change at Coachella

David Draiman, the lead singer of Disturbed and a notable figure advocating for Israel in the music scene, expressed his gratitude in the comments of Osbourne’s post and shared it on Instagram.

Last week, Draiman called for a dialogue with Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day following the band’s alteration of lyrics intended to shed light on the suffering of children in Palestine.

Responses from Organizations Regarding Kneecap’s Political Messaging

Sharon Osbourne was not alone in her criticism; other Jewish organizations also condemned Goldenvoice for booking Kneecap and allowing them to propagate their ideology to the festival audience. After their performance, Kneecap urged young Americans to send clips of their set to President Trump.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) released a statement detailing their proactive attempts to engage with Goldenvoice and AEG ahead of Kneecap’s second weekend show, urging them to cancel the performance due to the band’s known affiliations with groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

CCFP Executive Director Ari Ingel called for venues and promoters to boycott the band and demanded that their visas be revoked. He stated, “Events like Coachella are meant to unite people in celebration of music and life; instead, they permitted the festival to devolve into a platform for hate by featuring a band that praised a terrorist organization responsible for the largest massacre in music history. In light of rising antisemitism, it is appalling that AEG and Goldenvoice allowed this to transpire.”

The Nova Community also released a statement, expressing their dismay: “This past weekend at Coachella, Kneecap shared messages that wounded many within our community, a sentiment amplified by the massacre that occurred at the Nova Music Festival on October 7. The Nova community was founded on principles of peace, freedom, and unity through music. Our festival served as a gathering space where individuals from diverse backgrounds came together to celebrate life. Thus, we believe that even amid ignorance or provocation, our response must be rooted in empathy rather than hatred.”

They further added, “We extend an invitation to Kneecap to visit the Nova Exhibition and directly engage with the stories of those who were tragically murdered, those who survived, and those who are still held hostage. This is not meant to shame or silence, but rather to connect, witness, and understand. Healing begins with listening, and we believe that even those who have spoken from a place of anger or misinformation can cultivate empathy if they are open to seeing.”