‘I like Hitler’ rapper Kanye West apologises to Jewish community
Racist West, 46, apologised more than a week after a video was released in which he was seen ranting about Jewish people.
Kanye West has apologised “sincerely” to the Jewish community for “any pain I may have caused” after he made a string of antisemitic remarks.
West, 46, the ex-husband of socialite and businesswoman Kim Kardashian, apologised more than a week after a video was released in which he was seen ranting about Jewish people.
In recent years the American songwriter and producer, who now refers to himself as Ye, has hit the headlines for making antisemitic remarks, and in the recent clip, obtained by TMZ, he made a series of incoherent statements, including references to Jews and Zionists.
On Tuesday he wrote on Instagram in Hebrew (as translated by Google): “I sincerely apologise to the Jewish community for any unintended outburst caused by my words or actions.
“It was not my intention to hurt or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused.”
He added: “Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.”
This message, written in the official language of Israel, is the only post on the celebrity’s Instagram page.
The American Jewish Committee criticised West’s use of Hebrew in the apology.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the AJC said: “Beyond being bizarre and possibly a ploy to gain more attention, the Hebrew apology – posted without translation – is inaccessible to most American Jews who do not speak the language.
“To be sure, using Hebrew to communicate with the Jewish community intentionally denies most American Jews – and, consequently, non-Jews – the ability to directly see Kanye’s apology.”
“While he claims that he is committed to learning and greater understanding, this apology speaks to ‘any pain I may have caused’, rather than acknowledging the pain that he has caused,” the AJC continued.
In October 2022 the rapper was criticised for wearing a White Lives Matter T-shirt at his Paris Fashion Week show, and in light of “dangerous” behaviour and antisemitic remarks, German sports brand Adidas ended its years-long partnership with him.
In a statement the company said: “Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech.”
The Balenciaga fashion house also cut ties with him.
West praised Nazi leader Adolf Hitler while in conversation with US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in December 2022, saying: “I like Hitler.”
Shortly afterwards his account on X, formerly Twitter, was suspended for violating the platform’s policy against inciting violence.
He had posted a series of erratic tweets, one of which appeared to show a symbol combining a swastika and a Jewish star.
After an almost eight-month suspension, West’s account was reinstated on the platform, owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
