The Irish rap group Kneecap has been at the center of a whirlwind of controversy, support, and legal challenges over the past six months. During their performance at the Øyafestivalen in Oslo, Norway on Friday, August 8, they fervently addressed the ongoing war in Gaza, highlighting injustice and calling for action.

Just before the trio, consisting of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, took to the stage, a powerful message flashed across a video screen. The text, starkly presented in white against a black background, accused the Norwegian government of “enabling” what it termed as “genocide” against the Palestinian people through the investments held in the country’s sovereign wealth fund, often referred to as the “oil pension fund.” The statement asserted, “Over 80,000 people have been murdered by Israel in 21 months,” urging for a “Free Palestine.” This bold proclamation was met with enthusiastic cheers from an audience that is increasingly aware of the complexities of this conflict. Estimates from health officials indicate the Palestinian death toll exceeds 60,000, with an alarming 18,500 of those casualties being children.

The conflict between Israel and Palestinian territories has spanned decades, but a significant escalation occurred on October 7, 2023. On that day, Hamas militants infiltrated Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals, including over 800 civilians, and taking 251 hostages—of whom at least 40 have been confirmed dead. Currently, approximately 50 hostages remain unaccounted for, either alive or deceased. The Israeli military response has led to an estimated 60,000 deaths in Gaza, exacerbating an ongoing humanitarian crisis that has displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, many of whom are now facing dire conditions and starvation. Reports from Gaza’s health authorities indicate that nearly 200 individuals have succumbed to hunger since the onset of the conflict, while the United Nations estimates that around 1,300 people lost their lives while seeking food. These figures have been regularly challenged by Israel’s government. Recently, the Israeli security cabinet approved a controversial plan to assert complete control over Gaza City and forcibly relocate at least 600,000 Palestinians, a decision condemned by numerous global leaders.

The relationship between the Norwegian government and the ongoing violence in Gaza is intricate and multifaceted. Norway has taken a distinct stance by recognizing Palestine as a state, diverging from the positions of the United States and Israel. However, scrutiny has fallen upon the Government Pension Fund of Norway, which manages excess revenues from the nation’s petroleum industry and boasts over $1.9 trillion in assets. According to a report by Aftenposten, Norway’s largest newspaper, the sovereign wealth fund invested approximately $15.2 million in Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd., a manufacturer of jet engine parts for the Israeli military, between 2023 and 2024. Although Norway’s Finance Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, has rejected the idea of a blanket divestment from Israeli companies, the revelation prompted the government to initiate a review of its investment portfolio to ensure it is not supporting companies implicated in the conflict in Gaza.

During the middle of Kneecap’s hour-long set, they delved deeper into Norway’s alleged ties to the conflict. “I don’t have to lecture you people,” stated Mo Chara, donning a traditional keffiyeh. “I understand that some of you might be thinking, ‘Alright, we get it. I’m tired of hearing this.’ I wish I didn’t have to address these issues. The reality is, as long as we have this platform and as long as the situation remains unchanged, Kneecap will continue to use our stage to call out what we see as genocide and the actions of war criminals. I don’t need to lecture you when your oil fund is being used to facilitate genocide.” His impassioned remarks were met with cheers and applause from the crowd, many of whom waved Palestinian flags in solidarity. The Israeli government has outright denied allegations of genocide against Palestinians, a term that remains contentious and heavily debated. Critics argue that accusations of genocide against Israel often stem from antisemitism, although two human rights organizations based in Israel have recently begun to adopt this terminology concerning the war in Gaza.

Mo Chara also expressed gratitude towards the Øyafestivalen for “standing by Kneecap” in the face of calls for their removal from the lineup. However, he voiced his concerns regarding KKR, the global investment firm that owns Superstruct Entertainment, which operates Øyafestivalen along with several other international music festivals. “It’s disgraceful and shameful that KKR is involved in any music festival while they are investing in Israel during its war crimes,” he concluded, as the audience responded in agreement.

The critique of KKR extended beyond Kneecap’s performance. Outside the festival venue on that Friday, a small yet vocal assembly of protestors gathered to advocate for a boycott of Øyafestivalen due to KKR’s involvement. Following Kneecap’s set, the Irish rock band D.C. Fontaines also displayed an onscreen message proclaiming “Free Palestine,” which was met with enthusiastic support from the attendees.

Currently, Mo Chara faces a terrorism charge from the British government due to an incident where he allegedly waved a Hezbollah flag during a concert in November 2024, where the band reportedly shouted “Up Hezbollah, up Hamas.” In response, the punk-influenced rap group released a statement asserting that “we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah,” and described the video footage as “deliberately taken out of context.” Mo Chara referenced these charges during the performance, stating, “We love the English people, it’s the English government we don’t like.” Shortly after Kneecap began their set at Øyafestivalen, they encouraged the audience to respond energetically: “For f—k sake, we’re facing terrorism charges—give me some energy!”

In July, the group was banned from performing in Hungary after a Hungarian politician labeled them as a “national security threat,” accusing them of “antisemitism and glorifying terror.”

The group responded to the ban by stating, “The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban claims we ‘pose a national security threat.’ There is no legal basis for these actions, and none of the members of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all forms of hate and promote love and solidarity while calling out injustices wherever we see them. Clearly, this is a political distraction and an attempt to silence those who vocally oppose the genocide against the Palestinian people.”