Kanye West offers to meet Jewish community as pressure builds for U.K. ban over festival backlash

Culture & TrendsKanye West offers to meet Jewish community as pressure builds for U.K. ban over festival backlash"I've been following the conversation around Wireless and I want to address it directly," the rapper said in a statement Tuesday. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleU.K. government reviewing Kanye West's permission to enter country for London festival02:30Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 7, 2026, 3:58 AM EDTBy Patrick SmithLONDON — Ye has offered to meet members of the Jewish community in Britain, as he responded for the first time Tuesday to growing backlash over his status as headliner of a London music festival. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The rapper, formerly known as Kanye West, issued the statement as pressure built for the U.K. government to ban him from the country after the festival rejected calls from politicians and community leaders to drop him as headliner over his past antisemitic comments and songs."I've been following the conversation around Wireless and I 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," Ye said in the statement, according to the Associated Press news agency.He continued: "I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the U.K. in person, to listen.""I know words aren’t enough — I’ve have to show change through my actions," he said." "If you’re open, I’m here. With Love.”"A British government source told NBC News on Monday that ministers were reviewing whether to let Ye into the country and at least four corporate sponsors of the Wireless festival, including Pepsi, distanced themselves from the event. Ye previously released a song called "Heil Hitler" and offered T-shirts for sale featuring a swastika symbol. He publicly apologized for th...