Massive Attack have been banned from Singapore after the British band reportedly expressed pro-Palestinian sentiments during a performance in the city-state.

The band’s two members held up a Palestinian flag at the show on Wednesday and shouted “free Palestine”, authorities said, with some in the audience reportedly joining them.

Singapore’s police force has now banned Massive Attack from future entry into the country, while its media regulator simultaneously said it would not grant future applications for them to perform there.

The Asian nation has strict rules on public speech and what it deems as demonstrations, arguing that it is necessary to regulate them to protect social harmony.

Authorities have previously investigated public events related to the Israel-Gaza war. Earlier this year, they fined several people for organising an unauthorised walk in support of the Palestinian cause.

A police spokeswoman told the BBC that following an investigation the two band members had been issued “stern warnings” concerning alleged offences under Section 3 of the Foreign National Emblems (Control of Display) Act 1949 and Section 16 of the Public Order Act.

The two laws ban the display of foreign flags in public in most cases and set conditions on public events of a political nature, respectively.

The spokeswoman said Singapore’s police “take a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore”.

“The peace and harmony between different races and religions in Singapore should not be taken for granted, and we must not let external events affect our society,” she added.

Massive Attack is currently on a world tour, with Wednesday’s performance their only date in Singapore. Their next show is due to be held in Seoul on Saturday.

The band, which pioneered the trip-hop genre, has long been known for its openly political stance on a number of issues, including the war in Gaza.

Massive Attack’s frontman Robert Del Naja was arrested earlier this year when he took part in a demonstration in London. He was accused of showing support for Palestine Action, which is a proscribed organisation in the UK.

Singapore has also taken a strong stance on public expressions of sentiment regarding the Israel-Gaza war.

Authorities in the multicultural country insist that this is necessary to preserve racial and social harmony.

In 2023, the home affairs ministry put out a statement, external advising against “the public display and wearing of articles” in relation to the Israel-Gaza war, including foreign national emblems.

Singapore police have also launched investigations into offline and online events, and have effectively banned public gatherings related to the war.

The Singapore government has consistently supported the “two-state solution”, which would see a Palestinian state exist alongside Israel, as well as full Palestinian membership of the United Nations.

The police spokeswoman said Singapore’s media regulator was still investigating possible breaches of a number of licence conditions placed on the concert and “will take necessary action” when this was concluded.

She said among these conditions was one stipulating that there would be no display of flags “in support of any causes”.