Sir Keir Starmer has criticised Wireless Festival’s decision to book Kanye West as its headline act, describing the move as “deeply concerning” given the American rapper’s history of antisemitic statements.The Prime Minister emphasised that hatred towards Jewish people must be challenged wherever it emerges, saying: “Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears”.The 48-year-old rapper is scheduled to perform at all three nights of the Finsbury Park festival from July 10 to 12, with a combined audience of 150,000 expected.Jewish community leaders have united in condemning the festival’s decision, and are urging the government to prevent the artist, now known as Ye, from entering Britain.
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Speaking to the Sun, the PM said: “It is deeply concerning Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.”Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe,” he added.Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, described the booking as “absolutely the wrong decision”, and demanded ministers refuse the rapper entry to the country.The booking comes at a time of heightened anxiety within Britain’s Jewish community following a series of antisemitic incidents.In October last year, two men were killed in an attack at a Manchester synagogue, where the perpetrator, Jihad Al-Shamie, was shot dead by police at the scene.More recently, three individuals have been charged in connection with an arson attack that destroyed four Jewish ambulances in Golders Green, north London, last month. The incident is being treated as a suspected antisemitic hate crime.Karen Pollock, who leads the Holocaust Educational Trust, said the announcement of Mr West’s UK performance “is causing distress to the Britain’s Jewish community due to his previous antisemitism and support for Hitler”.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSDavid Beckham prompts laughter from King with modest remarkGregg Wallace confirms cookery show comeback following BBC axe as he shares surprise announcementScott Mills axe mocked on Have I Got News For You as BBC host divides audience with controversial remarkThe rapper released a song with the lyrics “Heil Hitler”, and while he has since apologised, critics are shocked he’s even been offered another gig, let alone headlining one of Britain’s major festivals.Ms Pollock added: “Wireless should think again about whether they want to provide a platform for this hateful antisemitism”.Once among America’s most celebrated artists with 160 million records sold and 24 Grammy Awards, he has become one of its most controversial figures, previously declaring he was going “death con 3 on Jewish people”.Mr West’s antisemitic behaviour has included releasing a track titled Heil Hitler on Victory in Europe Day last year, featuring pro-Hitler lyrics and excerpts from the Nazi leader’s speeches. He has also sold swastika-emblazoned T-shirts and been photographed wearing them, as well as posing in Ku Klux Klan attire.Earlier this year, the rapper issued an apology to the Jewish community through a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal, attributing his actions to bipolar disorder.Australia blocked Mr West from entering the country last year due to his controversial song, and Britain may follow suit. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood possesses the authority to refuse entry to foreign nationals whose presence is considered not conducive to the public good.London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has also condemned the booking, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has joined calls for a UK ban.
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