Kanye West has apologised “sincerely” to the Jewish community for “any pain I may have caused” after he made a string of antisemitic remarks.
West, 46, the ex-husband of socialite and businesswoman Kim Kardashian, apologised more than a week after a video was released in which he was seen ranting about Jewish people.
In recent years the American songwriter and producer, who now refers to himself as Ye, has hit the headlines for making antisemitic remarks, and in the recent clip, obtained by TMZ, he made a series of incoherent statements, including references to Jews and Zionists.
On Tuesday he wrote on Instagram in Hebrew (as translated by Google): “I sincerely apologise to the Jewish community for any unintended outburst caused by my words or actions.
“It was not my intention to hurt or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused.”
He added: “Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.”
This message, written in the official language of Israel, is the only post on the celebrity’s Instagram page.
The American Jewish Committee criticised West’s use of Hebrew in the apology.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the AJC said: “Beyond being bizarre and possibly a ploy to gain more attention, the Hebrew apology – posted without translation – is inaccessible to most American Jews who do not speak the language.
“To be sure, using Hebrew to communicate with the Jewish community intentionally denies most American Jews – and, consequently, non-Jews – the ability to directly see Kanye’s apology.”
“While he claims that he is committed to learning and greater understanding, this apology speaks to ‘any pain I may have caused’, rather than acknowledging the pain that he has caused,” the AJC continued.
In October 2022 the rapper was criticised for wearing a White Lives Matter T-shirt at his Paris Fashion Week show, and in light of “dangerous” behaviour and antisemitic remarks, German sports brand Adidas ended its years-long partnership with him.
In a statement the company said: “Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech.”
The Balenciaga fashion house also cut ties with him.
West praised Nazi leader Adolf Hitler while in conversation with US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in December 2022, saying: “I like Hitler.”
Shortly afterwards his account on X, formerly Twitter, was suspended for violating the platform’s policy against inciting violence.
He had posted a series of erratic tweets, one of which appeared to show a symbol combining a swastika and a Jewish star.
After an almost eight-month suspension, West’s account was reinstated on the platform, owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk.