Kanye West has offered to meet with members of the British Jewish community in person amid a growing backlash over his booking as headliner at London’s Wireless Festival this summer.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the rapper said he had been following the controversy and that his “only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music.” He added that he would be grateful for the opportunity to sit down with Jewish community members, acknowledging that words alone are not enough and that he would have to demonstrate change through his actions.
The statement comes as the UK government reviews whether to allow West into the country at all, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling the headline booking “deeply concerning” and Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he cannot understand why the festival still has him on the bill. At least four major sponsors, including Pepsi and PayPal, have distanced themselves from the event, and the Mayor of London’s office reportedly refused permission for the London Stadium to host a separate West concert this summer.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it would be willing to meet West, but only if he agrees not to perform at the festival. The controversy follows years of antisemitic behaviour from West, including releasing a song titled “Heil Hitler,” advertising swastika merchandise, and threatening to go “death con 3 on Jewish people.” In January, he took out a full page apology in the Wall Street Journal, attributing his behaviour to a manic episode caused by bipolar disorder. Critics have noted that this is not the first cycle of apology followed by further antisemitic conduct, and that meaningful action has yet to follow.
#reelheadline #pubity #viral
Kanye West has offered to meet with members of the British Jewish community in person amid a growing backlash over his booking as headliner at London’s Wireless Festival this summer.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the rapper said he had been following the controversy and that his “only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music.” He added that he would be grateful for the opportunity to sit down with Jewish community members, acknowledging that words alone are not enough and that he would have to demonstrate change through his actions.
The statement comes as the UK government reviews whether to allow West into the country at all, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling the headline booking “deeply concerning” and Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he cannot understand why the festival still has him on the bill. At least four major sponsors, including Pepsi and PayPal, have distanced themselves from the event, and the Mayor of London’s office reportedly refused permission for the London Stadium to host a separate West concert this summer.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it would be willing to meet West, but only if he agrees not to perform at the festival. The controversy follows years of antisemitic behaviour from West, including releasing a song titled “Heil Hitler,” advertising swastika merchandise, and threatening to go “death con 3 on Jewish people.” In January, he took out a full page apology in the Wall Street Journal, attributing his behaviour to a manic episode caused by bipolar disorder. Critics have noted that this is not the first cycle of apology followed by further antisemitic conduct, and that meaningful action has yet to follow.
#reelheadline #pubity #viral
