Cork's Palestinian café 'deeply offended' at UK PM's criticism of Glastonbury chants

The owner of Cork's award-winning Palestinian restaurant, Izz Café, has taken to social media to say that he was "deeply offended" that polticians such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have been quicker to condemn chants critical of Israel at the weekend's Glastonbury festival than they have been to be critical of the ongoing Israeli onslaught in Gaza. 

During a performance on the West Holt stage immediately preceding Irish rap trio Kneecap, the English rappers Bob Vylan led a chant wishing death to the IDF, the Israeli military, which was broadcast on the live BBC coverage at the time.  

Mr Starmer condemned the band for its chant and has asked the BBC to explain why it was broadcast.  The subsequent appearance by Kneecap, who visited Izz Café during their Cork concerts in February, also attracted criticism from politicians. 

Izzeddeen Alkarajeh, who runs Izz Café along with his wife Eman, said he had noted the statements of Mr Starmer and other politicians and journalists following the Glastonbury performances. "I have to be honest, we are offended too, deeply offended, that politicians and journalists are quicker to condemn musicians than condemning an actual genocide," he said.