In a surprising turn of events, Kanye West, also known as Ye, who was controversially crowned “Antisemite of the Year” in 2022 by the Campaign Against Antisemitism, has sparked fresh outrage after going on an antisemitic rant in Las Vegas earlier this month.
Late on Monday, following the Christmas holiday, the rapper took to Instagram to issue an apology to the Jewish community. The apology, presented entirely in Hebrew on a white background, expressed regret for “unplanned outbursts caused by [my] words or actions.” West stated, “It was not my intention to hurt or disrespect, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused. I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future.”
The post, coming at the end of the holiday season, raises the question of whether Kanye West utilized Christmas as a moment of reflection on the past year. Beyond the apology, West’s Instagram post delved into his struggles with co-parenting with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, as well as grievances about former President Donald Trump and his past business partners.
During a 10-minute-long video, West made a puzzling claim, screaming, “It’s 60 million of us in America, 60 million Jews in the world.” This assertion, however, is at odds with demographic data. As of 2021, the US population stands at 331.9 million people, according to the World Bank, significantly more than the 60 million claimed by West. Similarly, the Jewish Agency for Israel reported in 2023 that there are only 15.3 million Jewish people worldwide, contradicting West’s assertion in the opposite direction.
The incident has reignited concerns about Kanye West’s controversial statements and actions, with the artist expressing a commitment to making amends and promoting unity, seeking forgiveness from the Jewish community for his recent outburst.
