Massive Attack have responded after two band members were banned from Singapore for displaying the Palestinian flag during a concert on July 29 at the Star Theatre.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, the band said their entire group was detained by police following the show, with members isolated for questioning and some subjected to hotel room searches and temporary passport confiscation. Massive Attack described being “surprised and disappointed” by the response.
The Singapore police and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) opened an investigation after the concert. On Saturday, authorities confirmed that band members Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall were “banned from re-entering Singapore” and that future performance applications would not be approved.
“We did not imagine that merely holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognized by 157 countries would violate any law,” Massive Attack wrote. The band noted that audience members also led spontaneous chants of “Free Palestine” during the show.
Singapore’s government has barred public display of foreign national emblems without a permit or exemption. The country’s official stance supports a “two-state solution” and Palestinian UN membership, but authorities have restricted public displays related to the Gaza conflict since 2023.
Massive Attack called the experience a “reminder of the importance of defending universal human rights and freedom of expression” and urged Singapore to ratify the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Source: Rolling Stone Music
