Singapore Investigates Massive Attack Over ‘Palestine Flag at Concert’
The city-state has a law against displaying foreign emblems.
by Sophia Sheera
31 July 2026
Trip hop band Massive Attack are being investigated by authorities in Singapore after reportedly holding up a Palestine flag and shouting “Free Palestine” at a concert in the city-state on 29 July.
Singaporean authorities told the BBC on Friday that “reports were lodged and investigations are ongoing”.
Singapore has strict rules around demonstrations. It also bans the public display of foreign flags without special permits, punishable by up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 500 Singaporean dollars (£290).
The band, which was formed in Bristol in 1988, was in Singapore as part of a world tour. Members Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall are due to perform in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday.
Frontman Del Naja was previously arrested in April for attending a protest in London held in support of proscribed activist group Palestine Action.
Other musicians censored for their support of Palestine include Bob Vylan, whose members were denied entry to Germany last month and deported to the UK, it emerged this week. German police referenced the duo’s performance at Glastonbury last year, at which they led a chant of “Death, death to the IDF”, the Intercept reported.
Massive Attack, Kneecap, Brian Eno and Fontaines DC formed a syndicate for artists speaking out about Israel’s genocide in Gaza in 2025, amid “aggressive, vexatious campaigns” from pro-Israel advocacy groups trying to “silence” them.
Sophia Sheera is a journalist in Novara Media’s social media team.