DISTURBED’s David Draiman Calls Out Tom Morello Over Praise For Kneecap: “Shameful. Truly.”

Disturbed frontman David Draiman has publicly criticized Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello following recent comments in which Morello praised Irish hip-hop outfit Kneecap. In a conversation on The Strombo Show earlier this month, Morello went as far as to label Kneecap “the Rage Against The Machine of now,” citing their outspoken political stance as a key factor.

Morello stated of Kneecap:

“They’re at the top of the list. I mean, they’re clearly the Rage Against The Machine of now, like there’s them, and there’s a gap to the next one.”

He further defended the band’s controversial activism, adding:

“What they’re doing in their art is what people could probably stand to do more in their lives: to really speak truth to power. And, you know, Kneecap are not terrorists. What is terroristic is, you know, 20,000 dead Palestinian children. That’s the story. Not, I mean, some Irish rappers who don’t like that that’s happening. [That] should not be the story.”

Kneecap have been vocal critics of Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Band member Mo Chara was charged in the UK with a terror-related offense after allegedly brandishing a Hezbollah flag at a live show in November of 2024. They’ve also drawn headlines for publicly claiming Israel has committed genocide throughout the conflict. Their displays of support for Palestine, including a controversial appearance at Coachella this past April, led to the band being dropped by Independent Artist Group.

David Draiman, a vocal supporter of Israel and of his Jewish heritage, took issue with Morello’s endorsement of the group, stating on X (formerly Twitter) this morning, July 12th:

“Shameful. Truly.
Wish I could say I was shocked.
Guess my family doesn’t count, when it comes to my ‘friend’s’ virtue signaling for those who support terror, and incite Jew hatred.”

Draiman has become a polarizing figure in recent years, particularly after signing an Israel Defense Forces artillery shell in 2024 with an expletive-laden message for Hamas. That moment has continued to shadow Draiman, with critics pointing to the high civilian casualties tied to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Those tensions were apparent again earlier this month when Draiman appeared at the ‘Back To The Beginning’ farewell show for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, a performance organized by Tom Morello himself. Draiman reportedly received a notably cold response during the event, likely stemming from the controversy around his prior statements and actions.

Tom Morello, for his part, has been outspoken in his opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, frequently championing humanitarian causes tied to Palestinian aid and criticizing the IDF over civilian casualties via his social platforms.

Do you love independent bands, or are you in one? The Mosh Network is not just a rock/metal news website, but it doubles as an independent band directory, designed so that visitors can browse independent bands by not just subgenre, but location as well. It’s perfect to keep your finger on the pulse of your area’s hottest and newest bands or if you’re in a band, it’s a great way to find bands to network with! Click the banner below and start discovering bands all over the world, now!