Massive Attack say band members were detained, isolated and separately questioned by Singaporean police after two musicians held up a Palestinian flag and crowds chanted "Free Palestine" at their 29 July concert. Singapore has announced an indefinite ban on the group, with police saying the musicians will be refused re‑entry and barred from performing. The band called the experience "surreal" and said they did not expect displaying a flag recognised by 157 countries to breach the law.
Massive Attack Say Members Detained After Pro‑Palestine Display; Singapore Issues Indefinite Ban
Massive Attack respond after Singapore ban over Palestine display
Massive Attack have said they were "surprised and disappointed" by their treatment by Singaporean authorities after showing support for Palestine during a concert in the city‑state.
In an Instagram post on Sunday the band said members were "detained by the police, isolated and separately questioned", and that some experienced hotel room searches and the temporary confiscation of passports following their 29 July show.
At that performance two members — Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall — held up a Palestinian flag and, along with members of the audience, chanted "Free Palestine". Singaporean authorities, which have strict rules governing public speech and assembly, subsequently announced an indefinite ban preventing Massive Attack from returning or performing in the country.
Police Action And Warnings
A police spokeswoman told the BBC that the two musicians would be refused re‑entry to Singapore and barred from performing there. The band said Del Naja and Marshall were "given stern warnings" about alleged breaches of laws that restrict the public display of foreign flags and regulate political expression at public events.
“We did not imagine that merely holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognised by 157 countries would violate any law,” the band said, calling the episode a "surreal experience."
Band Reaction And Background
Massive Attack said large sections of the auditorium had "organically led chants of 'Free Palestine'" both before and after the show, adding they were "proud to have made the impromptu expression" alongside fans who "clearly felt a moral imperative to show solidarity with the people of Palestine."
The group is known for publicly taking political stances. Del Naja was detained earlier this year in London on suspicion of supporting the proscribed group Palestine Action during a protest, where he carried a placard reading "I Oppose Genocide, I Support Palestine Action."
Context And Official Guidance
Singaporean officials say restrictions on public political expressions are necessary to preserve racial and social harmony in the multicultural state. In 2023 the Home Affairs Ministry issued guidance advising against "the public display and wearing of articles" related to the Israel‑Gaza war, including foreign national emblems.
Massive Attack are currently on a world tour and are due to perform in Australia next week after concluding the Asia leg of their schedule. The BBC has contacted the Singapore Police Force for comment.
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