MASSIVE ATTACK BANNED FROM SINGAPORE AFTER PALESTINIAN FLAG DISPLAY

British trip-hop band Massive Attack said its members were detained by police in Singapore following a concert on 29 July at the Star Theatre, where a Palestinian flag was unfurled on stage. The band stated that large sections of the audience chanted "Free Palestine" before and at the end of the performance. In a statement published on Instagram on Sunday, the group said the entire band was detained, isolated and separately questioned, with some members subjected to hotel room searches and temporary passport confiscation. Two band members were issued with stern warnings and barred from re-entering Singapore, according to authorities.

Singapore's police said the band's actions "could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore", where foreign flags, national emblems and banners cannot be displayed in public without a permit. Massive Attack comprises Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall and performed with a live backing band and guest vocalists, including Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins. The band stated it did not anticipate that displaying "the flag of a sovereign state recognised by 157 countries would violate any law". The group described the experience as "surreal" and said it was "proud" to have made an "impromptu expression" with fans.

Massive Attack said the detention was a "reminder of the importance of defending universal human rights and freedom of expression". In April, frontman Del Naja was among more than 500 people arrested by British police in London during a protest against the banning of Palestine Action, which is classified as a "terrorist" organisation by the United Kingdom.