Kanye West offers to meet British Jewish community ahead of London performance

There have been calls for Kanye West to be barred from entering the UK

Kanye West has offered to meet with the British Jewish community ahead of his performance at London’s Wireless Festival (Ian West/PA)

Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, has offered to meet with the British Jewish community ahead of his show at London’s Wireless Festival.

It comes after it was announced tickets for the festival were to go on sale after its promoter, Festival Republic, defended the planned performance, after calls for him to be barred from entering the UK because of previous antisemitism.

In an addition to his apology for previous antisemitic comments issued in the Wall Street Journal in January, Ye said: “I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly.

“My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music.

“I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen.

“I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions.

“If you’re open, I’m here.”

The rapper is to top the bill for all three nights of the festival in London’s Finsbury Park in July.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called the decision “deeply concerning”, while major sponsors have withdrawn their support for the festival because of the booking.