Police arrested five individuals during protests outside the O2 Forum in North London, amid heightened tensions linked to Bob Vylan’s controversial performances and chants referencing the IDF, highlighting ongoing unrest over the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Five people were arrested during two protests outside the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, North London, coinciding with a Bob Vylan concert on the evening of November 11, 2025. According to the Metropolitan Police, one arrest was made due to chants referencing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), while others were related to breaches of Public Order Act conditions imposed to manage the demonstrations. One individual from the Stop the Hate protest was also detained on suspicion of common assault following a scuffle between protesters. Police had mandated that both protests conclude by 9.30pm to prevent serious disruption and disorder.
The protests took place in designated areas near the venue, with the Stop the Hate group confined to Fortress Walk and the Palestine Coalition and other groups to Highgate Road. The Metropolitan Police maintained a presence throughout the events to ensure compliance with these conditions.
This incident is part of wider tensions connected to Bob Vylan’s performances. Earlier in the year, at a London gig and their controversial set at Glastonbury Festival, there were similar episodes involving chants against the Israeli military. During the Glastonbury performance, Bob Vylan led the crowd in chants of “death to the IDF,” which sparked significant backlash from event organisers, the Israeli embassy, and UK government officials. Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the chants as “appalling” and criticised the BBC for broadcasting them live. The Israeli embassy condemned the chants as “inflammatory and hateful rhetoric.”
Following this, the U.S. State Department revoked visas of Bob Vylan, citing that foreign nationals who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors in the United States. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau made this statement amid ongoing criticism directed at Bob Vylan and the BBC for the Glastonbury incident.
Despite this history, Bob Vylan's frontman, Bobby Vylan, warned fans at recent gigs, including a surprise performance at The 100 Club in Soho, not to chant against the Israeli military, cautioning that such actions could cause him trouble. During the Kentish Town concert protests, some chants referencing the IDF were nevertheless audible, leading to one man’s arrest.
The events in Kentish Town highlight ongoing unrest surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict as it manifests in public protests linked to cultural events in London. Police efforts to impose strict measures to prevent disorder underline the sensitivities involved in managing such demonstrations, especially when they intersect with popular music performances known for their political messaging.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (MyLondon) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 6, 7
- [2] (GB News) - Paragraph 1, 2
- [3] (Evening Standard) - Paragraph 5, 6
- [4] (The Independent) - Paragraph 5, 6
- [6] (Times of Israel) - Paragraph 5, 6
- [7] (Newsweek) - Paragraph 6
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports on protests during Bob Vylan's concert in Kentish Town on November 11, 2025, leading to arrests. This event is recent and has not been widely reported elsewhere, indicating freshness. However, similar incidents involving Bob Vylan, such as the Glastonbury Festival performance in June 2025, have been reported previously. ([nme.com](https://www.nme.com/news/music/glastonbury-2025-bob-vylan-lead-chants-of-death-to-the-idf-and-free-free-palestine-in-provocative-set-3873913?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data on the Kentish Town incident, which justifies a higher freshness score. No evidence suggests that the content is recycled or republished from low-quality sites. The narrative appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from the Metropolitan Police and Bob Vylan's frontman, Bobby Vylan. A search reveals that these quotes have not appeared in earlier material, indicating originality. No identical quotes were found in previous reports, and no variations in wording were noted. The absence of earlier matches suggests that the quotes are original or exclusive to this report.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from MyLondon, a local news outlet. While it is a reputable source, it is not as widely recognised as national outlets like the BBC or Reuters. The Metropolitan Police and Bob Vylan are mentioned, both of which have verifiable public presences. No unverifiable entities are cited, and no fabricated information was identified.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative describes protests during Bob Vylan's concert in Kentish Town, leading to arrests. This aligns with known tensions surrounding Bob Vylan's performances, such as the Glastonbury Festival incident in June 2025, where the band led chants against the Israeli military. ([nme.com](https://www.nme.com/news/music/glastonbury-2025-bob-vylan-lead-chants-of-death-to-the-idf-and-free-free-palestine-in-provocative-set-3873913?utm_source=openai)) The Metropolitan Police's involvement and the arrest details are consistent with standard procedures for managing public order at such events. The language and tone are appropriate for the region and topic, and the structure focuses on the main event without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and consistent with typical news reporting.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with original quotes and a reliable source. It plausibly reports on recent events involving Bob Vylan's concert in Kentish Town, leading to arrests. No significant issues were identified that would undermine the credibility of the report.
