The UK band Massive Attack has responded after being banned from Singapore, saying they are surprised and disappointed by their treatment. The ban follows an incident at a concert where the group displayed the Palestinian flag and shouted "free Palestine." In a statement, the band said they did not imagine that merely holding up the flag of a state recognized by 157 countries would violate any law. The group expressed surprise that their actions led to the ban, emphasizing that they consider the flag a symbol of a legitimate sovereign state. The band's response comes after Singapore authorities took action over the display, which is seen as a political statement in the city-state. Massive Attack's comments highlight the tension between artistic expression and local laws regarding political symbols.