Additional Coverage:
- Taylor Lorenz mocked by Piers Morgan panel after she defends band’s ‘Death to the IDF’ chant (foxnews.com)
Former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz found herself in a heated debate with Piers Morgan and other panelists on “Piers Morgan Uncensored” on Monday. The subject of the fiery exchange? The controversial chant “Death to the IDF” led by Bobby Vylan of the UK band Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival.
Vylan’s actions sparked immediate condemnation, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeling the chant as “hate speech.” The US State Department revoked the band’s visas and they were reportedly dropped by their agency.
Lorenz argued that the chant wasn’t a call for violence against individual soldiers, but a protest against the IDF’s actions in Gaza. She claimed the band and the audience were protesting what they considered “genocide” being committed by the Israeli military.
Morgan and other panelists challenged Lorenz’s interpretation. Morgan argued the chant was clearly directed at the soldiers themselves, not the institution.
Hen Mazzig, a senior fellow at the Tel Aviv Institute, questioned how Lorenz could condemn genocide while seemingly condoning a chant calling for death. He emphasized that the IDF is a compulsory army, meaning many soldiers are serving by mandate.
Lorenz doubled down on her position, comparing the chant to slogans like “death to America,” which she claimed refers to American imperialism, not individual citizens. This comparison was met with pushback from Morgan and other panelists, who argued such slogans are typically understood as threats against people.