Singapore has banned two core members of British band Massive Attack from reentering the country following their display of a Palestinian flag and statements of support for Palestinians during a concert last week.
Singapore police investigated the men over their actions at the July 29 concert, which included unfurling a foreign flag and one member shouting "Free Palestine" On stage. Both were issued stern warnings and blacklisted from returning to Singapore.
"The police take a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore and urge the public, including foreigners, to refrain from importing foreign politics as this can undermine our social cohesion and the rule of law," The police said in a statement.
While police did not identify the individuals, local media footage identified them as Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall.
Massive Attack said in an Instagram statement they were "surprised and disappointed" By the decision. The band noted that large sections of the concert audience had chanted "Free Palestine" Before and after their performance. They stated they did not expect that holding up the flag would violate any law, but said they were proud of the "impromptu expression" Made with their fans to show solidarity for the Palestinian cause.
The group called on the Singapore government to allow its citizens "the expressions of conscience without fear of state persecution."