Kanye West posts Hebrew apology to Jewish community ahead of 'Vultures' album release
Ye, the rapper born Kanye West, is apologizing for his antisemitic behavior ahead of the release of his new album.
The 46-year-old took to Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday morning to share his atonement written in Hebrew.
"I sincerely apologize to the Jewish community for any unintended outburst caused by my words or actions. It was not my intention to offend or disrespect and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused," he wrote, adding he is committed to learning from this experience "to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future."
West concluded the post by writing, "Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity."
Kanye West, antisemitismand the conversation we need to be having
The apology racked up more than 750,000 likes in five hours, with many Instagram users asking about "Vultures," Ye's new album in collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign. The album, expected to drop earlier this month, has been delayed until Jan. 12, according to reports.
Other commenters were vocal about the words falling short.
"You should be ashamed of yourself," one Instagram user wrote. "For more than a year you shoot anti-Semitic and offensive statements for no reason and out of complete ignorance! Is this the legacy you want to pass on to your children???"
"Now post it in English so that not only we (Hebrew speakers) will understand," wrote another. Hebrew is not a language spoken by all Jewish people.
"Less talking, more action," another pleaded.
The Anti-Defamation League voiced a similar sentiment.
"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 organization said in a statement sent to USA TODAY. "Ultimately, actions will speak louder than words but this initial act of contrition is welcome."
Ye's apology follows consistent acts of antisemitism. "Vultures," the album's titular track, debuted on streaming on Nov. 22 and drew backlash for West's lyrics about sleeping with Jewish women. Earlier this month he attended a listening party for the album in Miami clad in a "black Ku Klux Klan-like hood," according to Forbes.
The rapper's antisemitic remarks last year cost him significant brand deals (and billionaire status), not to mention lost him plenty of public sympathy despite his mental health struggles.
Ye's post comes amid a deadly war in Israel and Gaza, which began on Oct. 7. Preliminary data from the ADL shows 1,402 antisemitic incidents occurred across the U.S. from Oct. 7 through Nov. 20. That marks a 315% increase compared with that time frame last year, when Ye and Kyrie Irving's high-profile antisemitic rhetoric was dominating the news cycle.
Taylor Swift, 'Barbie' and Beyoncé:The pop culture moments that best defined 2023
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman and David Oliver