Jewish leaders and the Mayor of London have expressed strong concerns over Kanye West who legally changed his name to Ye headlining this year’s Wireless Festival, warning that his appearance risks exacerbating rising antisemitic tensions in the UK.
Ye, a controversial figure with a history of antisemitic remarks, including public references to Nazism, selling T-shirts with swastikas, and associating with white supremacist Nick Fuentes, is set to perform all three nights of the festival in north London. This will be his first UK performance in more than a decade.
Rabbi Herschel Gluck, president of Shomrim, Stamford Hill, and chair of the Arab-Jewish Forum, called the scheduled performance “deeply, deeply troubling.” He added: “Until he succeeds in demonstrating genuine change, it is highly inappropriate for him to appear at public events in the UK, as he may be seen as a destabilising figure who could inflame antisemitic tensions.”
Ye has issued public apologies for his actions, attributing some of his past behaviour to bipolar-1 disorder in January. However, Rabbi Gluck noted: “If that apology had been the end of the story, I do believe in the power of repentance. But sadly, following previous incidents, he has apologised and subsequently doubled down on earlier statements.”
The festival announcement comes shortly after a serious antisemitic arson attack in Golders Green, north-west London, on 23 March, when four ambulances operated by the volunteer-led Hatzola service were set on fire, causing explosions from stored gas canisters.
Mayor Sadiq Khan stated: “We are clear the past comments and actions of this artist are offensive and wrong, and are simply not reflective of London’s values. This was a decision taken by the festival organisers, and not one City Hall is involved in.”
A spokesperson for the Jewish Leadership Council added: “It is deeply irresponsible for Wireless Festival to be headlining Kanye West. The UK Jewish community is facing record levels of antisemitism, including violent attacks and foiled plots.”
The Community Security Trust reported 3,700 instances of anti-Jewish hate in 2025, the second-highest annual total on record, highlighting the sensitive context of Ye’s upcoming performance.
Truth Live News International learnt that the Independent reached out to Wireless Festival organisers for comment, but no response was immediately available.
