Kneecap use Late Late Show platform to call for Irish people to protest for Palestine despite RTÉ’s ‘impartiality’ stance

Belfast rap trio Kneecap appeared on the Late Late Show on Friday night and used their voice to draw attention to the death and destruction in Gaza, with DJ Provaí donning a Palestine jersey while being interviewed by Patrick Kielty.

This comes after RTÉ asked musicians not to wear pro-Palestinian clothing last week during a performance on the flagship talk show.

The Irish Women in Harmony group performed a tribute to Sinead O’Connor on last Friday night’s Late Late Show and before they went on stage, a group member was asked to change out of a t-shirt which featured the word Gaza and a love heart, while others were asked to remove badges expressing support for Palestinians.

This, though, did not stop DJ Provaí taking off a jacket to reveal a Palestinian jersey mid-interview before the group urged Irish people to attend marches in solidarity with the people of Palestine in the “hope that one day they will be free”.

After the news broke last week that RTÉ asked performers to change t-shirts and remove badges, a spokesperson explained: “All RTÉ content follows clear guidelines in regard to impartiality.

“RTÉ aims to facilitate open debate on issues of public interest and concern.

“As such we ask that participants do not wear badges, symbols or emblems related to one particular point of view in the absence of a forum for a representation of all views”.

Mr Kielty addressed it saying what is happening in the Middle East is “horrific” but not everyone would agree with their stance.

However, the band said they will continue to use their platform to highlight a war in which Israel has killed close to 30,000 Gazans using “American weapons”.

Kneecap performed their latest hit ‘Better Way To Live’ before joining Patrick for an interview.

The group also spoke about their Biopic titled ‘Kneecap’, which won an Audience award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival this year, before its general release in cinemas in Ireland this August.

The group also revealed they will be playing Electric Picnic this year.

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