Massive Attack Banned From Singapore Over Palestine Flag
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- Massive Attack said on Instagram they were 'surprised and disappointed' after Singaporean authorities detained their members, isolated and separately questioned them, conducted hotel room searches, and temporarily confiscated passports following the band's July 29 show
- Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall held up a Palestinian flag during the concert and shouted 'free Palestine' alongside audience members who the band said 'organically led chants' in a 'spontaneous expression'
- Singapore police told the BBC that the two members 'would not be allowed to re-enter Singapore and were barred from performing there,' with the band given 'stern warnings' under two laws restricting public display of foreign flags and political expressions at public events
- Massive Attack argued that 'merely holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognised by 157 countries' should not violate any law and said they were 'proud to have made the impromptu expression' with fans who 'clearly felt a moral imperative to show solidarity'
- Del Naja was arrested earlier this year in London on suspicion of showing support for the proscribed organisation Palestine Action during a protest where he held a sign reading 'I Oppose Genocide, I Support Palestine Action'
- Singapore's home affairs ministry put out a statement in 2023 advising against 'the public display and wearing of articles' in relation to the Israel-Gaza war, with authorities saying such restrictions are necessary to preserve racial and social harmony in the multicultural country
- Massive Attack are currently on a world tour, with performances scheduled in Australia next week after concluding their Asia leg
Why it matters: Singapore's indefinite ban on Massive Attack shows its strict foreign-flag and political-speech laws now carry real consequences for international touring artists — two members are permanently barred from re-entry after one concert display. The 2023 home affairs ministry advisory formalized the stance, framing speech restrictions as essential to the country's racial and social harmony.
