OTTAWA — The Carney government is barring the Irish rap group Kneecap from entering Canada, saying the group has endorsed political violence and terrorism.

Jewish groups sked Ottawa in June to ban the group, along with the English punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, over comments they argued served to incite antisemitism.

Liberal MP Vince Gasparro, parliamentary secretary for combating crime, says Kneecap has "publicly displayed support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas" that goes beyond artistic expression.

"Canada stands firmly against hate speech, incitement to violence and the glorification of terrorism," Gasparro said in his video.

"Political debate and free speech are vital to our democracy, but open endorsements of terrorist groups are not free speech."

His announceme

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