Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, has issued an apology for antisemitic statements and offensive behavior towards the Jewish community. However, Ye’s call for forgiveness has garnered a seemingly lukewarm response from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
Following the publication of the apology, which appeared in a paid advertisement in the Wall Street Journal on Monday (Jan. 26), the ADL, which has spoken out against the rapper for his divisive rhetoric and behavior on past occasions, reacted to his supposed show of contrition.
In a statement on social media, the organization appeared to accept Ye’s words with a grain of salt, pointing to his “long history of antisemitism” and citing his controversial “Heil Hitler” song among his egregious acts committed in offense to the Jewish community.
Kanye West attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California.
Rich Fury/VF20/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
“Ye’s apology to the Jewish people is long overdue,” the ADL wrote on X, adding that the artist, formerly known as Kanye West, statement “doesn’t automatically undo” the “hundreds of tweets, swastikas and myriad Holocaust references” – which caused hurt and betrayal.
The organization added that a true sign of atonement from Ye would be to refrain from antisemitism in the future, concluding their statement by wishing him well on his mental health journey.
Ye’s ad, titled “To Those I’ve Hurt,” saw the rapper expressing his “regret” while attributing his actions to “manic episodes,” during which he says he “lost touch with reality.”
Kanye West is seen at ‘DONDA by Kanye West’ listening event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 22, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
“Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem,” Ye wrote. “I said and did things I deeply regret. Some of the people I love the most, I treated the worst. You endured fear, confusion, humiliation, and the exhaustion of trying to love someone who was, at times, unrecognizable. Looking back, I became detached from my true self.”
He later claimed that his mental state has improved after finding “much-needed clarity” and that he’s putting his “energy into positive, meaningful art: music, clothing, design, and other new ideas to help the world.”
He concluded: “I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness. I write today simply to ask for you patience and understanding as I find my way home.”
Read the ADL’s response to Ye’s apology below.