Massive attack banned from Singapore over ‘free Palestine’ display

Band reacts to Singapore ban

Members Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall held up a Palestinian flag and shouted "free Palestine" alongside the crowd during their 29 July show in the city-state, which enforces strict rules on public speech and assembly.

Singapore has since indefinitely barred the pair from returning or performing there. In an Instagram post on Sunday, the band said its members were "detained by the police, isolated and separately questioned", with some subjected to hotel room searches and temporary passport confiscation.

"We did not imagine that merely holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognised by 157 countries would violate any law."

Massive Attack

The pair were "given stern warnings" over alleged offences under two laws restricting the public display of foreign flags and political expression at public events, a police spokeswoman told the BBC.

The band said "large sections of the auditorium organically led chants of 'Free Palestine'", adding that they were "proud to have made the impromptu expression" of solidarity over the conflict in Gaza.

Their post, which was liked by more than 146,000 people, was flooded with supportive messages from fans in Singapore and beyond.