Ye apologizes to Jewish community for antisemitic remarks with post written in Hebrew

The rapper formerly known as Kanye West wrote on social media that he is "committed to making amends and promoting unity."

Ye, the rapper who was formerly known as Kanye West and has a long history of making antisemitic remarks, is apologizing to the Jewish community with a message written in Hebrew.

In a statement posted to social media Tuesday, Ye wrote that it was "not my intention to offend or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused." He added, "I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future. Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity."

Ye, 46, became embroiled in controversy last year when he made a series of antisemitic comments, including a tweet about going "death con 3 on Jewish people" following backlash over a "White Lives Matter" shirt he wore during Paris Fashion Week. He also insinuated that Sean "Diddy" Combs was controlled by Jewish people and echoed more antisemitic conspiracy theories in a Fox News interview with Tucker Carlson, and said that he loved Nazis and Hitler in conversation with right-wing fabulist Alex Jones.

Companies including Adidas, Balenciaga, and Creative Artists Agency cut ties with Ye in response, and a documentary about the rapper from studio MRC was shelved.

On Tuesday, the Anti-Defamation League cautiously welcomed Ye's apology. "After causing untold damage by using his vast influence and platform to poison countless minds with vicious antisemitism and hate, an apology in Hebrew may be the first step on a long journey towards making amends to the Jewish community and all those who he has hurt," the organization said in a statement. "Ultimately, actions will speak louder than words but this initial act of contrition is welcome."

Ye's apology comes ahead of the release of his next album, Vultures, a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign set to drop Jan. 12. The title track, released last month, features lyrics from Ye about how he can't be antisemitic because he "f---ed a Jewish" woman.

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