Singapore Detains Massive Attack Members Over Palestinian Flag at 6.11 Million-People City-State Concert
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Aug 3
Singapore Detains Massive Attack Members Over Palestinian Flag at 6.11 Million-People City-State Concert
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Aug 3
Summary
Massive Attack said Singapore police detained band members after last Wednesday’s concert, isolating and separately questioning them, searching some hotel rooms and temporarily confiscating passports.
Two performers — Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall — had raised a Palestinian flag onstage as the crowd chanted “Free Palestine,” an act police said could harm racial and religious harmony.
Singapore police said Friday that two band members received stern warnings and were barred from re-entering the country, though authorities did not publicly identify them.
The band said it was “surprised and disappointed,” arguing that displaying the flag of Palestine — which it said is recognized by 157 countries — should not violate any law.
Singapore bans public display of foreign national emblems without a permit, and the Palestinian flag is especially sensitive in the city-state, where about 15% of citizens and permanent residents are Muslim.