Jess Glynne among musicians condemning Wiley comments
Grime artist took to social media to say: 'I would challenge the whole world of Jewish community on my own I am not scared I can handle them.'
Politicians and musicians have condemned antisemitic tweets by Grime artist Wiley, which have seen him banned from the social media platform for a week.
On Friday evening and Saturday morning, the musician posted a series of tweets including one that said: “I would challenge the whole world of Jewish community on my own I am not scared I can handle them.”
He also posted an Instagram video in which he said: “crawl out from under your little rocks and defend your Jewish privilege”.
The posts have been widely condemned, and Twitter has come under fire for allowing them to remain visible for more than 12 hours after they were first posted. A number of tweets have now been removed.
Grime producer DJ Spoony said the comments were “at best inflammatory and at worst criminal in some aspects”.
He wrote on Twitter: “I’m a very proud black man who has genuine love for everyone however wrong is wrong. I’m not going to publicly ‘hang’ him. Education is the only way to battle bigotry in any form.”
He encouraged members of the Jewish community to message Wiley to help him see “the error of his ways”.
The Ivors Academy, who gave Wiley their Inspiration Award in 2019, said they “unequivocally condemn” his comments.
“We stand against all forms of intolerance. Such appalling views have no place in the music creator community.”
Singer Jess Glynne, who is Jewish, called it “disgusting” and told the rapper: “Check yourself”.
A number of MPs have also tweeted, questioning why the tweets had been left up for so long.
Labour MP Jess Phillips said: “Just seen all the Wiley stuff. Why on earth have @Twitter left up such blatant antisemitism and hatred? It hits all the dangerous beats, Jews get things you don’t get, they are in control, they think their better… This is dangerous stuff. Surely it should come down.”
Fellow MP Neil Coyle added: “His management appear able to act quicker than @Twitter emphasising, once again, that legislation (including the Online Harms Bill) should ensure social media platforms are not used to spread hate.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism has also contacted the Cabinet Office to ask that Wiley’s MBE is revoked.
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