Taylor Lorenz Defends Punk Band’s ‘Death to IDF’ Chant: ‘They Didn’t Say Death to Israelis’

Piers Morgan’s panel ripped commentator Taylor Lorenz for her “generous” defense of British punk duo Bob Vylan, insisting that their festival chant of “death to the IDF” was a protest of the institution and not a call for violence against Israelis.

The State Department revoked visas for members of the band after lead singer Pascal Robinson-Foster led the crowd in chants of “Free Palestine” and “death to the IDF” during their live performance at England’s Glastonbury music festival over the weekend.

The moment sparked backlash against the band — who were dropped from the United Talent Agency — and the BBC for broadcasting the set. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) called the chant “truly sick,” while U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the situation as “appalling.”

During an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored on Monday night, however, Lorenz pushed back against the criticism, insisting the band’s slogan was aimed at Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as a “military entity” and not Israelis.

“They should stop the genocide,” Lorenz said, referring to Israeli military actions in Gaza. “If people want the public and these artists to have more positive sentiment towards these military forces, then they need to.”

Israeli writer Hen Mazzig, also on the panel, was quick to push back: “I don’t think anyone wants positive sentiment. I don’t know why you twisted around. We’re saying we don’t want anyone to call for the death of anyone.”

He continued: “I mean, if you are advocating against genocide and you don’t want people to be killed, how can you turn around and say at the same breath that you think chanting for death should be contextualized somehow?”

Lorenz hit back: “Well, yeah, because again, if an army is committing genocide and slaughtering babies and creating the highest rate of child amputees in the world, and if that is what they have done for months and years now, and then the public is rightfully outraged about that.”

“Calling for their death, that’s the issue. It’s not we’re not –” Mazzig began, before he was cut off.

“Calling for the death of a military entity that is currently committing genocide,” Lorenz finished.

“Of soldiers!” Mazzig clarified. “It’s a compulsory army.”

Morgan interjected to take issue with Lorenz’s parsing: “Taylor, you can’t keep saying that. You don’t even believe that when you’re saying it. If they said death to the British army, no one’s taking that as meaning the institution. They’re taking it as meaning British soldiers.”

Lorenz held firm: “When people say ‘death to America’ they mean death to American imperialism that has subjugated them.”

“No they don’t. They mean death to Americans!” the host replied, as the panel groaned.

“That’s a very generous position,” co-panelist Esther Krakue laughed.

“Ask the Supreme Leader of Iran what they mean, they’ll tell you exactly!” Mazzig jibed.

The host pressed on: “I don’t think you even believe this as you’re saying it, Taylor, do you?”

Lorenz replied: “Again, they didn’t say ‘death to Israelis,’ they said ‘death to the IDF’ – again.”

“Who are Israelis,” Morgan replied.

“It’s a compulsory service, we have to join the army in Israel,” Mazzig added on that point, noting the country’s requirement for all citizens.

“And you can choose to not join the army, of course,” Lorenz returned.

“Of course, and go to prison,” Mazzig retorted.

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