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Jewish Groups Question Sincerity of Kanye West’s Apology to Jewish Community Over Antisemitic Comments
Kanye West, DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne, Ty Dolla Sign, Teyana Taylor and Zoey Dollaz at ‘LIV on Sunday’ as part of Art Basel on Dec. 11, 2023
Photo: Seth Browarnik/startraksphoto.com via Cover Media via Reuters Connect
The apology that rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, made earlier this week for his series of antisemitic comments has received mixed responses from Jewish groups, who are saying they need more than just words to believe the musician and fashion designer
On Tuesday, the Grammy winner and Yeezy designer uploaded a Hebrew-language message on Instagram addressed to the Jewish community.
“I sincerely apologize for any unintended outburst caused by my words or actions, it was not my intention to hurt or disrespect, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused,” wrote the 46-year-old. “I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future. Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.”
The apology was published shortly before Ye releases his new album, Vultures, on Jan. 12. In one of the songs on the upcoming album, he raps: “How I’m antisemitic? I just f**ked a Jewish b*tch.” Earlier this month, the Flashing Lights rapper went on an antisemitic rant at an album listening party in Las Vegas.
The rapper came under fire late last year after making a number of antisemitic remarks, sharing antisemitic tropes on social media, promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories and stereotypes, saying “I like Hitler,” and urging people to “stop dissing the Nazis.” Because of his comments targeting the Jewish community, he lost his Yeezy partnership with Adidas, as well as his partnerships with a number of other brands.
The Anti-Defamation League welcomed Ye’s apology this week but added that they hope to see his words backed by 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 ADL said in a released statement. “Ultimately, actions will speak louder than words but this initial act of contrition is welcome.”
The ADL revealed in its audit of antisemitic incidents in 2022 that Ye was directly referenced in 59 antisemitic cases tracked by the group from October through the end of that year, including 44 cases of harassment, 13 cases of vandalism and two cases of assault.
The American Jewish Committee criticized Ye for issuing the apology in Hebrew, saying that the rapper “intentionally” denied American Jews and non-Jews who don’t know Hebrew from being able to understand his apology.
The nonprofit organization StopAntisemitism said it wants to know what additional steps Ye is taking to make amends for offending the Jewish community with his past remarks. “Will he be deleting his vulgar lyrics referring to having sex with a Jewish woman? Has he committed to any mental health programs to prevent further antisemitic outbursts to his millions of followers?” the organization asked. It also wanted to know why the apology was in Hebrew.
Israeli activist Noa Tishby did not buy the apology at all and had some choice words for the rapper. In a video shared on social media on Wednesday, Tishby told Ye in Hebrew, “just shut up.”
“We don’t need your apology,” she further said in English. “We don’t want you to say anything. We don’t need you to speak about us at all. Every time you talk about the Jewish people, something bad happens. We basically need you and people like you, who know nothing about Israel or the Jewish people, to shut up. That’s it.”
The post Jewish Groups Question Sincerity of Kanye West’s Apology to Jewish Community Over Antisemitic Comments first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Israel Pounds Gaza City Suburbs, Vows to Press on with Offensive
Smoke rises following an Israeli strike, in Gaza City, August 24, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Israeli planes and tanks pounded the eastern and northern outskirts of Gaza City overnight Saturday to Sunday, destroying buildings and homes, residents said, as Israeli leaders vowed to press on with a planned offensive on the city.
Witnesses reported the sound of explosions non-stop overnight in the areas of Zeitoun and Shejaia, while tanks shelled houses and roads in the nearby Sabra neighborhood and several buildings were blown up in the northern town of Jabalia.
Fire lit the skies from the direction of the explosions, causing panic, prompting some families to stream out of the city. Others said they would prefer to die and not leave.
The Israeli military said on Sunday that its forces have returned to combat in the Jabalia area in recent days, to dismantle militant tunnels and strengthen control of the area.
It added that the operation there “enables the expansion of combat into additional areas and prevents Hamas terrorists from returning to operate in these areas.”
Israel approved a plan this month to seize control of Gaza City, describing it as the last bastion of Hamas. It is not expected to begin for a few weeks, leaving room for mediators Egypt and Qatar to try and resume ceasefire talks.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday vowed to press on with the offensive on the city where famine has been declared, which has raised alarm abroad and objections at home. Katz has said that Gaza City will be razed unless Hamas agrees to end the war on Israel’s terms and release all hostages.
Hamas said in a statement on Sunday that Israel’s plan to take over Gaza City showed it wasn’t serious about a ceasefire.
It said a ceasefire agreement was “the only way to return the hostages,” holding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for their lives.
The proposal on the table calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living hostages held in Gaza and of 18 bodies. In turn, Israel would release about 200 long-serving Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Once a temporary ceasefire begins, the proposal is for Hamas and Israel to begin negotiations on a permanent ceasefire that would include the return of the remaining hostages.
On Thursday, Netanyahu said that Israel would immediately resume negotiations for the release of all 50 hostages – of whom Israel believes around 20 are still living – and an end to the nearly two-year-old war but on terms acceptable to Israel.
‘HUNGRY AND AFRAID’
Around half of the enclave’s two million people currently live in Gaza City. A few thousand have already left, carrying their belongings on vehicles and rickshaws.
“I stopped counting the times I had to take my wife and three daughters and leave my home in Gaza City,” said Mohammad, 40, via a chat app. “No place is safe, but I can’t take the risk. If they suddenly begin the invasion, they will use heavy fire.”
Others said they will not leave, no matter what.
“We are not leaving, let them bomb us at home,” said Aya, 31, who has a family of eight, adding that they couldn’t afford to buy a tent or pay for the transportation, even if they did try to leave. “We are hungry, afraid and don’t have money.”
A global hunger monitor said on Friday that Gaza City and surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine that will likely spread. Israel has rejected the assessment and says it ignores steps it has taken since late July to increase aid.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen burst into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and taking 251 hostages.
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Iran Signals Willingness to Scale Back Uranium Enrichment to Ease Tensions
Atomic symbol and USA and Iranian flags are seen in this illustration taken, September 8, 2022. Photo: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
i24 News – Iran may be prepared to significantly reduce its uranium enrichment levels in a bid to stave off renewed UN sanctions and limit the risk of further strikes by Israel and the United States, according to a report published Sunday in The Telegraph.
Citing Iranian sources, the paper said Tehran is considering lowering enrichment from 60% to 20%.
The move is reportedly being championed by Ali Larijani, the newly appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, who is holding talks with regime leaders.
“Larijani is trying to convince the system to reduce the level of enrichment in order to avoid further war,” a senior Iranian official told the paper.
The proposal, however, faces stiff resistance from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has long opposed concessions on the nuclear program. Still, the report suggests Iran’s leadership may be open to greater flexibility, including the possibility of reviving engagement with Western powers.
Last month, i24NEWS reported exclusively that a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to travel to Iran. The team of technical experts would seek to resume monitoring of nuclear sites, inspections that have been heavily restricted in recent years.
The development comes amid mounting regional tensions and could represent a critical turning point in the long-running nuclear standoff.
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Major Brush Fire Erupts Near Jerusalem, Evacuations Underway
A view of the new Tel Aviv-Jerusalem fast train seen over the HaArazim Valley (“Valley of Cedars”) just outside of Jerusalem, Sept. 25, 2018. Photo: Yossi Zamir/Flash90.
i24 News – A large brush fire broke out Sunday in the Cedars Valley area, near Route 1 and the Motza interchange, prompting an emergency response from Jerusalem district fire services. Several water-bombing planes were dispatched, and authorities have declared a “fire emergency.”
As a precaution, residents of Mevaseret Zion are being evacuated. Access to the town from Route 1 has already been blocked, and officials are weighing a full closure of the major highway.
Fire crews from the Ha’uma station are on site working to contain the flames, while motorists in the area are urged to heed traffic updates and follow instructions from emergency services.
Eight firefighting aircraft are currently operating above the blaze in support of ground teams. The fire comes amid one of the hottest, driest summers on record, with conditions fueling a series of destructive wildfires across the country.
Officials warn the situation remains critical, as the blaze threatens a vital transportation corridor leading into Jerusalem.