Cancel culture’s targeted Kanye West time and time again but it’s never been as effective as when he embarked on an anti-semitic press run to cap off a tumultuous 2022. However, he recently issued an apology to the Jewish community in the form of a tribute post to Jonah Hill. Following a lengthy break from Instagram, Kanye returned to disavow the anti-semitic tropes he spewed on platforms like Drink Champs and Fox News.
“Watching Jonah Hill in 21 Jump street made me like Jewish people again,” Ye wrote. “No one should take anger against one or two individuals and transform that into hatred towards millions of innocent people.” The rapper went on to add, “No Christian can be labeled antisemite knowing Jesus is Jew… Thank you Jonah Hill I love you.” Jonah Hill didn’t respond but the film’s director, Christopher Miller, appeared to have mixed feelings about Ye’s comments. “Um… thanks for watching?” Miller wrote.
StopAntisemitism & AJC Reject Ye’s Apology
A few Jewish organizations have denounced Ye’s apology as inadequate, especially after the harm he caused. Between praising Hitler, denying the number of deaths during the Holocaust, and claiming he’d go “death con 3” on the Jewish people, StopAntisemitic and the American Jewish Committee believe he needs to do a bit more than watch 21 Jump Street. “It is a little odd that all it might take for Kanye to renounce his vile antisemitism is to watch and 11-year-old Jonah Hill movie. Whether Kanye is sincere, only he knows,” AJC rep Richard Hirschhaut said.
“Joking about a movie with Jonah Hill is not the apology that the Jewish people deserve from Kanye, particularly when his antisemitic tirades continue to have a dangerous trickle-down effect of hatred against Jews,” said Liora Rez, executive director of StopAntisemitism, per TMZ. This group previously labeled Ye the “Antisemite Of The Year.” Shortly after, the ADL said his remarks were linked to 30 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. Still, Rez said not all hope is lost for Kanye West. They believe he can begin the process by denouncing Nick Fuentes. The AJC echoed a similar sentiment. However, they want him to “renounce each of these repeated, threatening and vile expressions of antisemitism.”