Massive Attack members detained in Singapore after Palestinian flag display
SINGAPORE — The British band Massive Attack reported that its members were detained by Singapore police and “isolated and separately questioned” following an incident where two performers displayed a Palestinian flag at their concert in the city-state last Wednesday, reports BritPanorama.
In a statement posted on Instagram on Sunday, the band expressed their surprise and disappointment at the detainment of the entire group. Several members had their hotel rooms searched and passports temporarily confiscated, according to the post.
Police did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the band’s claims. During the concert, band members Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall, both British nationals, raised the flag amid audience cheers calling for “Free Palestine,” as observed by a Reuters witness.
Authorities indicated last Friday that the band’s actions “could potentially harm racial and religious harmony in Singapore,” issuing stern warnings to the two members involved and barring them from re-entering the country. The police did not disclose the identities of those who received warnings.
The band did not specify which members faced detainment or whose passports were confiscated. Massive Attack performed with a live backing band and guest vocalists, including Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins.
In their statement, the band remarked, “We did not imagine that merely holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognized by 157 countries (Palestine) would violate any law.” They added that the incident served as a reminder of the importance of defending universal human rights and freedom of expression wherever those rights are threatened.
Notably, Singapore prohibits the public display of foreign national emblems without a permit or exemption, and the Palestinian flag is particularly sensitive due to ongoing conflicts and the country’s Muslim demographics.
With a population of approximately 6.11 million, Singapore is ethnically and religiously diverse, with around 15% of its citizens and permanent residents being Muslim.
Founded in Bristol in 1988, Massive Attack is known for its politically charged messages, frequently using its platform to draw attention to global conflicts, including those in Iran, Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine.
As the ramifications of this incident unfold, the ongoing debate regarding freedom of expression and governmental restrictions continues to resonate within the cultural sphere.
