Massive Attack have criticised the Singaporean government after two members of the British trip-hop group were barred from returning to the country for displaying a Palestinian flag during a concert. The dispute has highlighted Singapore’s restrictions on foreign political symbols and the tension between its public-order rules and artists’ freedom of expression.

The incident occurred at the band’s Singapore show on 29 July, where Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall held up the flag on stage. Authorities said the display breached the event’s licensing conditions and warned that foreign political issues should not be imported into Singapore; the two musicians received warnings and re-entry bans. Massive Attack, long-standing supporters of Palestinian causes, responded by condemning the decision and reiterating their support for Palestine.