Antisemitism: Kanye West finally apologises to Jewish community

American rapper Kanye West, now legally known as Ye, has apologised for his previous antisemitic comments during a private meeting with a prominent Jewish leader in New York.

The music star met with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, head of the Shuva Israel institutions, where he expressed what he called “profound remorse” for his past remarks about the Jewish community.

A video of the meeting, which took place on Tuesday, was shared on the rabbi’s social media accounts on Thursday.

“I feel really blessed to sit here and take accountability,” Ye said while holding the rabbi’s hands. “I was dealing with various issues, including bipolar disorder. I took some of my ideas and forgot about the protection of the people around me and myself. So I wanted to take accountability.”

The rapper compared his situation to “cleaning up a house” after a child’s mess, saying he is ready to repair the damage caused by his words.

“It’s like I’ve got to clean up the kitchen, the living room, and the garage,” he added. “These are the first steps, brick by brick to build strong walls and repair my relationship with the Jewish community.”

Rabbi Pinto, in a statement, commended Ye’s show of humility, saying, “A person is not defined by his mistakes, but by the way he chooses to correct them. This is the true strength of man: the ability to return, to learn, and to build bridges of love and peace.”

Kanye West faced global backlash in 2022 after making antisemitic remarks, including a tweet where he threatened to go “death con 3” on Jewish people.

Following the controversy, several major brands, including Adidas, Balenciaga, Gap, and Universal Music Group, severed ties with him.