The frontman of the British punk-rap band Bob Vylan, Pascal Robinson-Foster, was recently denied entry to Germany due to pro-Palestinian statements. He was detained at Berlin Airport and subsequently deported back to England. The German Federal Police cited his performance at the Glastonbury Festival last year, where he led the chant "Death, death to the IDF," as the reason for the entry refusal on June 15.
At the end of July, authorities lifted the entry ban against Robinson-Foster but did not provide details on why the measure was rescinded or how the decision was made. Police documents allege that he spreads anti-Semitic narratives and Hamas propaganda, which could contribute to the radicalization of certain groups and serve as ideological justification for terrorist organizations.
The police also stated that Robinson-Foster poses a threat to public safety and order in Germany, claiming that his entry could significantly damage Germany's international reputation and credibility, suggesting that it would imply a lack of effort to combat propagated anti-Semitism and related calls for violence.
The Federal Police did not answer detailed questions regarding the now-lifted entry ban, citing public safety and data protection concerns. When asked about the decision-making process behind the entry refusal, spokesperson Nikolai Jaletzke stated that they do not comment on threat assessments, operational measures, or coordination processes between agencies.
Robinson-Foster described the claim that he poses a danger to Germany's national security as absurd, asserting that the allegations of spreading propaganda for any banned organization are equally unfounded. His performance at Glastonbury attracted global attention, coinciding with a growing number of cultural figures publicly opposing Israel's actions in Gaza. The performance, particularly the chant, was condemned by politicians, including then British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and several pro-Israel Jewish organizations. Felix Klein, the Federal Government's Commissioner for Anti-Semitism, labeled the performance as "hate and incitement" and urged concert and festival organizers in Germany to cancel Bob Vylan's shows.
Following the Glastonbury performance, Robinson-Foster and his bandmate Wade Laurence George had their visas revoked for entry into the United States. Germany is the first country to deny entry and deport a member of the band.
Documents obtained by The Intercept relate solely to the enforcement of the entry ban, not the underlying decision-making process. Alexander Gorski, the German lawyer representing Robinson-Foster, stated that there is a constitutional right to access the records on which such a decision is based.
After Robinson-Foster's deportation, Gorski filed a request with the Federal Police Headquarters in Potsdam to remove the entry ban from the national register and to access the underlying documents. Shortly thereafter, the Federal Police lifted the entry ban without providing an explanation. The two-page letter, which The Intercept has also obtained, states only that the request has been granted and that no further information could be provided.
Gorski expressed that while it is good the entry ban has been lifted, it is highly problematic from a rule-of-law perspective for someone to be denied entry due to a political statement that does not constitute a criminal offense, especially when access to the underlying records is also denied.
Gorski formally appealed for access to internal documents that led to the imposition of the entry ban. Robinson-Foster has the right to know on what legal basis his entry to Germany was denied, not only to verify the legality of the action but also to understand what behavior German authorities may consider grounds for future entry refusals.
It remains unclear how a British musician, who has not been charged with any crime in either England or Germany, was classified by German authorities as a threat to public safety. The British police had closed their investigation into Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance, stating there was "insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction."
Robinson-Foster remarked that there is no lack of evidence, only a lack of a crime, noting that the BBC broadcast the performance, which can be viewed.
Gorski believes the case exemplifies a fundamental shift in how German migration law is being applied to pro-Palestinian voices. Last year, the city of Berlin initiated deportation proceedings against four foreign nationals who participated in protests against Israel's actions in Gaza.
Gorski argues that German authorities are increasingly using migration law to silence "unwanted voices" by denying entry to critics of Israel or expelling them from the country. Similar concerns have been raised by Thomas Oberhäuser, chairman of the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group, who also sees signs that migration law in Germany is being used for political purposes.
Gorski referenced previous cases, such as that of British-Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta and former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, both of whom he represented in similar proceedings where German authorities attempted to prevent their entry to stop their participation in pro-Palestinian events.
Robinson-Foster stated that he traveled to Germany privately in June to visit friends and musician colleagues before the release of the band's new album. Bob Vylan has toured in Germany multiple times over the past few years. Although the German authorities have now lifted the entry ban, he noted that the incident has "opened a Pandora's box."
He reported that the entry refusal in Germany has led to ongoing issues when entering other countries. Since his deportation, both he and his bandmate have faced intensive questioning at borders in other EU countries. In one instance, Belgian border officials questioned the band's drummer about the incident in Germany, even though he had not traveled there.
Robinson-Foster expressed a desire to continue performing in Germany, stating that they have been touring there regularly for the past five years and it would be unfortunate to lose contact with their supporters there.