Overview
- Members of Massive Attack held a Palestinian flag on stage and some shouted “Free Palestine” at their July 29 concert in Singapore, actions officials say breached event licence conditions.
- Singapore police and the Infocomm Media Development Authority issued stern warnings, barred the two members from re-entering the country, and said future licence applications from the band will be refused.
- The band says its entire group was detained after the show and that some members had passports temporarily confiscated while officers questioned them and searched hotel rooms.
- Singapore bans public display of foreign flags without a permit and has warned against displays tied to the Israel‑Hamas conflict, which authorities say can risk harming local racial and religious harmony.
- Massive Attack has a long record of political activism and a frontman who was arrested at a 2025 London pro‑Palestine protest, a history officials cited when enforcing the country’s rules and when signalling broader enforcement going forward.