Massive Attack speak about ‘surreal experience’ of being banned from Singapore over Palestinian flag

British trip-hop collective Massive Attack have described their experience of being banned from Singapore as "surreal" after displaying a Palestinian flag during a show. The English band, featuring Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall, were performing at the Star Theatre in Singapore on July 29 when they unfurled the flag.

Following the performance, the band and its members were detained by the police, with some subjected to hotel room searches and temporary passport confiscation. Singapore has strict laws against displaying foreign flags without a permit, and the band's actions led to a police investigation. In a statement on Instagram, Massive Attack expressed their pride in making the impromptu expression with their fans in support of Palestine, acknowledging the courage of those who showed solidarity with the people of Palestine.

The band called for the international community to take action and urged the Singapore government to ratify the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, allowing citizens to express their conscience without fear of state prosecution. Singapore's police force and Infocomm Media Development Authority issued stern warnings to Del Naja and Marshall, banning them from re-entering the country while future performance applications would not be approved.

The band hopes their experience will highlight the importance of defending universal human rights and freedom of expression.