Massive Attack's Instagram statement has now been published in full, revealing further detail on the fallout from their 29 July Singapore concert, at which they displayed a Palestinian flag and joined fans in "Free Palestine" chants. The band, who have a long history of pro-Palestinian activism, said they were "surprised and disappointed" to be banned from performing in the city-state, arguing they did not expect that displaying the flag of "a sovereign state recognised by 157 countries" would breach any law. The episode has drawn fresh attention to the trip-hop group's activism: member Robert Del Naja was arrested at a London protest in April in support of the banned group Palestine Action, and he and bandmate Grant Marshall were early backers of the "No Music for Genocide" campaign urging artists to block their music in Israel.

The ban stems from Singapore's public order laws, which forbid displaying foreign national emblems without a permit and specifically discourage symbols relating to the Israel-Palestine conflict, a policy the Ministry of Home Affairs has defended as protecting the country's "peace and harmony". According to the band, their entire lineup was detained, isolated and separately questioned by police after the show at the Star Theatre, with some members reportedly subjected to hotel room searches and temporary passport confiscation. Massive Attack said the chants were spontaneously led by audience members, and drew a parallel with the UK, where they said peaceful protesters have similarly been arrested under terrorism legislation for expressing support for Palestine.