The National Jewish Organization exclusively told HollywoodLife that Kanye’s recent remarks fueled “hatred and malice toward Jews.”
Kanye “Ye” West has proudly doubled or even tripled his anti-Semitic tweets and views over the past two weeks. Now StandWithUs, an international nonpartisan educational organization that pro-Israel and combat anti-Semitism, has spoken out against his harmful remarks , and begged the brands that work with Kanye to stop their relationship with him. “You are spreading dangerous anti-Semitic tropes, fueling hatred and malice against Jews,” co-founder and CEO Roz Rothstein told HollywoodLife in an exclusive statement.
“Companies shouldn’t profit from his name because he’s so hostile. That includes GAP, which is still shamelessly promoting his YEEZY hoodies,” Roz continued. “Thanks to Balenciaga and CAA for dropping Ye. Adidas and Gap have yet to respond. Well-meaning people should stay away from those who proudly repeat this hateful rhetoric.” GAP’s relationship with Kanye is currently questionable as the 45-year-old in question The rapper, through his attorney, informed clothing brand YEEZY LLC that it will end a two-year partnership with them on September 15. Although GAP confirmed that their partnership was dissolving, they have yet to say what Kanye has to say about Jews.
French fashion house Balenciaga has cut ties with Kanye until October 21, according to WWD. “Balenciaga no longer has any relationship with the artist and has no plans for any future projects,” Kering, Balenciaga’s parent company, told WWD in a statement. Additionally, his former talent agency CAA confirmed they no longer represent the Donda rapper and his upcoming documentary has been canceled.
“This morning, after discussions with our filmmakers and distribution partners, we have decided not to do any distribution for our recently completed documentary about Kanye West. We cannot support any content that expands his platform,” said three MRCs Studio executives announced Monday, October 24, for each variety. “Kanye is a producer and sampler of music. Last week, he sampled and remixed a classic tune that’s been around for over 3,000 years – Jews are evil, a lie conspiring to control the world for their own benefit.”
The announcement that StandWithUs and Kanye’s collaborators cut ties with him came as the Los Angeles Times reported that Kanye’s anti-Semitic rhetoric had led to an increase in anti-Semitic activity. For example, there was a demonstration on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles promoting the hate group Goyim Defense League. One person at the demonstration held a banner that read “Kanye is right about the Jews,” Jewish News reported.
All of these announcements come two weeks after Kanye lashed out at Jews on Twitter and claimed he wanted to perform a “death con 3” on anyone connected to the religion. He then defended himself by saying “Black people are actually Jewish [sic].” The tweets were immediately deleted for violating Twitter’s guidelines. He also expressed his hatred of Jews in a self-deleted Oct. 15 episode of the Drink Champs podcast, claiming that “Jews have a black voice” and that music industry Jews will “milk [blacks] until we die,” according to The Independent reported.
When he sat down with controversial British TV presenter Piers Morgan, 57, last week, he doubled down on those claims, saying he would “absolutely not” sorry about making any anti-Semitic remarks. Feel sorry. He then confirmed he knew he was talking about racism and said that was what prompted him to say it. “So you’re saying it knows it’s racist?” Pierce asked in shock. “Yes. I fight fire with fire,” the father of four answered proudly. “I’m not here to be discouraged. That’s a different kind of freedom fighter.”
He also called Pierce “Karen” because of his arguments with him. “God forbid commenting might make people feel whatever pain my people have been through over the years,” Yeh countered. He later added, “It’s not racism … I’m in a position of hurting, and it’s the way I have the right to express myself.” He then told Pierce that he should follow his lead so he could get richer.
Before the episode aired, he was already fighting back against the backlash he faced when he sat down with Chris Cuomo. “When I put on a White Lives Matter T-shirt, the Jewish underground media mafia was already attacking me,” he claimed.
As recently as October 22, Kanye was proudly backing his statement. “I’m not going to lose money,” he told TMZ, about his lost partnership. “The day I left the Balenciaga site was one of the most free days.” He also suggested the brand was dropping him just for “score.” Kanye reportedly hired Johnny Depp’s attorney, Camille Vasquez, to oversee his business dealings after the contract was cancelled, but they were reportedly unable to reach an agreement due to his ongoing attacks on Jews. In conversations with TMZ, Kanye also claimed that the backlash he received was because of the Jews.
Kanye’s lack of awareness has led several stars to speak out against him, including his ex-wife Kim Kardashian. “Hate speech is never good or forgivable. I stand with the Jewish community in calling for an immediate end to the horrific violence and hate speech directed against them,” she wrote on her Oct. 24 Instagram Story. Sisters Khloe Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner all joined a number of other stars in posting a message that read: “I support my Jewish friends and the Jewish people.”