Jewish groups call for UK entry ban on Kanye West over past remarks

Jewish organisations and several British lawmakers have urged organisers of London’s Wireless Festival to cancel the planned headline appearance of Kanye West, while also calling on the government to bar the US artist from entering the UK over his record of antisemitic remarks, according to the BBC.

The rapper, who now goes by Ye, sparked renewed controversy last year after releasing a song titled Heil Hitler and selling T-shirts featuring swastikas. He later issued an apology, attributing his behaviour to episodes linked to bipolar disorder.

West is scheduled to headline all three nights of the Wireless Festival in July at Finsbury Park, London. However, the booking has already triggered a backlash, with major sponsors beginning to withdraw. Following comments by Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing the situation as “deeply concerning,” Pepsi pulled its sponsorship, while drinks company Diageo also stepped back. Payment partner PayPal has since said its branding will no longer appear on festival promotional material.

Stephen Silverman of the Campaign Against Antisemitism described the decision to book West as “astonishing,” noting that many Jewish community members reacted with shock and dismay. Labour MP Rachael Maskell echoed those concerns, arguing that performers with such a record should not be given a platform. Speaking on BBC Radio 4, she supported the prime minister’s stance and went further, saying West should not be allowed into the country in light of his past statements.

Starmer emphasised that antisemitism is “abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears,” adding that there is a collective responsibility to ensure the UK remains a place where Jewish communities feel safe.

Calls to deny West entry have also come from Jewish leadership groups. Michael Weiger, head of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said preventing the artist from entering the UK would be “a very appropriate step” if legally feasible. The organisation also accused Wireless Festival, its parent company Festival Republic, and managing director Melvin Benn of “profiteering from racism,” highlighting the festival’s own charter, which states that discrimination — including on religious grounds — has no place at the event.

Festival Republic has not publicly responded to the criticism. The Home Office likewise declined to comment beyond reiterating the prime minister’s position.

West is due to perform from July 10 to 12, with the festival expected to attract around 50,000 attendees per day. While his commercial appeal remains strong — with his latest album charting near the top in both the US and UK and recent sold-out shows in Los Angeles — industry observers say organisers may be forced to reconsider. The Guardian’s music editor Ben Beaumont-Thomas described the situation as a “PR disaster,” suggesting that the loss of sponsors could significantly impact the festival’s viability.

Despite the backlash, some critics note that West retains a large fanbase and strong streaming numbers, meaning tickets could still sell out quickly if the performances go ahead. However, others argue that public platforms should not be given to figures associated with repeated offensive rhetoric.

The controversy follows a series of incidents involving West in recent years, including antisemitic and pro-Nazi comments and imagery shared publicly. Australia previously cancelled his visa after the release of Heil Hitler in May.

In January, West published a full-page apology in The Wall Street Journal, stating: “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite.” He said his bipolar disorder had contributed to periods where he “lost touch with reality,” adding that he regretted his actions and felt “deeply mortified.”

By Tamilla Hasanova