politics
Ye Offers to Meet UK Jewish Community Amid Calls to Cancel Wireless Festival Performance
Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, proposed meeting members of the UK's Jewish community to demonstrate personal change following antisemitic remarks. Pressure mounts on Wireless Festival organizers to cancel his July 10-12 performances in London's Finsbury Park, with sponsors withdrawing and government officials opposing the booking.
Apr 7, 4:22 AM·2m read2 sources
VA
The Boston GlobeAudio version
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LONDON — Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, offered on Tuesday to meet with members of the UK's Jewish community to listen and show change through actions. This comes amid growing calls from politicians and sponsors to cancel his scheduled performances at the Wireless Festival in London's Finsbury Park from July 10 to 12. The festival expects around 150,000 attendees over three nights.
Ye, 48, has faced widespread condemnation for antisemitic statements and expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler. Last year, he released a song titled "Heil Hitler" and advertised a swastika T-shirt on his website. In January, Ye apologized in a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, attributing his behavior to a four-month manic episode related to his bipolar disorder.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated Tuesday that Ye should "absolutely not" perform at the festival.
He described the organizers' defense as "absurd" and noted that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is considering banning Ye from entering the UK. " Sponsors Pepsi, Rockstar Energy, and Diageo have withdrawn from the festival since Ye was announced as headliner. Festival Republic, the organizer, has stood by the booking.
Managing Director Melvin Benn acknowledged the home secretary's authority to revoke Ye's visa, stating that if she does, the issue would be resolved.
a statement Tuesday, Ye expressed willingness to meet Jewish community members in person.
“I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the U.K. in person, to listen. I know words aren’t enough — I’ll have to show change through my actions.”
