Jewish leaders in the UK have declined an offer from Kanye West to meet ahead of his headline performance at Wireless Festival, following widespread criticism over his antisemitic comments. The rapper, who is scheduled to headline all three days of the Finsbury Park event, faced backlash for releasing a song called Heil Hitler and advertising a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website last year.
The Jewish Leadership Council rejected West's offer almost immediately, stating they would not help 'save their festival'. In a statement on X, they said: 'Kanye West’s recent history of vile antisemitism was fully known to the festival organisers when they invited him. Now, with the entirely predictable backlash they are facing, the British Jewish community is being asked to help save their festival. We are not going to meet Kanye West for that purpose.'
Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the booking, calling it a 'terrible error of judgement'. He told Sky News: 'These weren’t a couple of off-colour remarks, these were a pattern of behaviour – the releasing of a song called Heil Hitler, the plastering of that slogan across T-shirts, then using bipolar disorder as an excuse. And then when he realised the impact on his fame and his career, he came out with a mealy-mouthed apology, which has now been given a fig leaf of credibility by festival organisers who should be ashamed of themselves.'
Downing Street said 'all options remain on the table' regarding West's permission to enter the UK, with decisions made on a case-by-case basis. Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, confirmed West has an approved visa issued in the last few days, but acknowledged the Home Secretary could rescind it. Despite sponsors including Pepsi and Diageo withdrawing support, Benn defended the booking, stating West would only perform songs currently played on radio and streaming platforms.
Breaking his silence, West offered to meet the British Jewish community to listen, saying: 'My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music. I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen.' However, the offer was rejected, with Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, calling on Wireless to rescind the invitation.
