In a statement posted on Instagram on Sunday, the band said they were âsurprised and disappointedâ that the entire band was detained and questioned.

Several members had their hotel rooms searched and passports temporarily confiscated, the post said.

Singapore police did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters regarding the bandâs statement.

The trip-hop band has two members, Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall, both British nationals, who unfurled the flag and held it up as audience cheered âFree Palestine!â, a Reuters witness said.

Police said last Friday the bandâs actions âcould potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singaporeâ and that two band members were issued with stern warnings âand barred from re-entering Singapore. Police did not name the two band members.

The band did not say who among the members were detained and whose rooms were searched or passports confiscated.

The band were performing with a live backing band and guest vocalists, including Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins.

âWe did not imagine that merely holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognised by 157 countries (Palestine) would violate any law,â the bandâs statement said.

âThe surreal experience was a reminder of the importance of defending universal human rights and freedom of expression wherever those rights are threatened,â the band said.

Singapore does not allow the public display of foreign national emblems âwithout a permit or exemption, and the Palestinian flag is especially sensitive âgiven the conflict in Gaza and Singaporeâs Muslim population.

Singapore has an ethnically and religiously diverse population of about 6.11 million, of whom around 15% of the citizens and permanent residents are Muslim.

Massive Attack, formed in Bristol in the west of England in 1988, are known for their outspoken political stances, with videos during their â concert âhighlighting conflicts in Iran, Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine.

(Reporting by Xinghui Kok; Editing by Michael Perry)