Kanye Apologizes For Anti-Semitic Remarks
Kanye West, who has a long history of making antisemitic remarks, offered an apology to the Jewish community, the Associated Press reports.
In a post written in Hebrews on Tuesday (Dec. 26), West attempted to make amends for his several incidents of antisemitism.
“I sincerely apologize to the Jewish community for any unintended outburst caused by my words or actions,” West wrote.
“It was not my intention to offend or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused,” West continued. Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to repair and to advancing unity.”
The apology follows reports that the release of his new album, "Vultures," a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign will be released on January 12th after numerous delays.
Over the last several years, West has had a strange affinity for deploying anti-Semitic rhetoric. In 2022, West was dropped by his agency, CAA, adidas, fashion house Balenciaga, Vogue, and others who cut ties with the rapper for his anti-Semitic remarks.
In his most recent rant, West compared himself to Jesus Christ and Adolf Hitler while claiming that Donald Trump was Zionist, according to CBS News.
Responding to West’s apology, the Anti-Defamation League, an advocacy group specializing in civil rights law and combating antisemitism, wants West to be consistent with his actions.
“After causing untold damage by using his vast influence and platform to poison countless minds with vicious antisemitism and hate, an apology in Hebrew may be the first step on a long journey towards making amends to the Jewish community and all those who he has hurt,” the Anti-Defamation League said in a statement. “Ultimately, actions will speak louder than words but this initial act of contrition is welcome.”
However, the American Jewish Committee was highly critical of West’s use of Hebrew in his apology.
“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,” the AJC’s statement read. “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.”