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'Breeds violence': Vancouver's Jewish community responds to Kanye West's antisemitic remarks during interview

"There is nothing to like about Nazis or Hitler, the architect of the mass murder of 6 million Jews." 
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Recent antisemitic comments made by Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, are "dangerous" for Jewish people, says the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

The Vancouver Jewish community says recent antisemitic comments made by Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, are "dangerous" for Jewish people.

The American rapper, music producer, and clothing designer recently made an appearance on far-right conspiracist Alex Jones' broadcast where he made numerous antisemitic remarks, including several that praised Hitler and the Nazi regime. 

Ye's recent comments come on the heels of other hateful statements he has made about Jewish people over the past couple of months. The entertainer referenced hateful stereotypes in several interviews, including one that turned into a heated argument with Chris Cuomo on NewsNation. 

Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver CEO Ezra Shanken told Vancouver Is Awesome that Ye's "hateful rhetoric is not only untrue but dangerous for Jewish people everywhere."

In regard to his recent appearance on InfoWars, Shanken said Ye's statements amplify antisemitism and breed violence, noting that "antisemitism is on the rise around the world."

While Canadian Jews make up 1 [per cent] of the population, they represent 14 [per cent] of all reported hate crimes, Shanken noted, adding that people who give platforms to people like Ye "are complicit."

The Jewish Federations of North America also released a statement following Ye's comments. In a tweet, the organization underscored that "there is nothing to like about Nazis or Hitler, the architect of the mass murder of 6 million Jews." 

Kanye Twitter account is suspended following antisemitic remarks, Alex Jones interview

Elon Musk, who recently acquired Twitter, has provided a platform to some individuals after their accounts were previously suspended for hateful rhetoric. However, the billionaire suspended him after he posted an image of a swastika inside of a Star of David.

In a tweet, Musk stated that Ye "again violated our rule against incitement to violence," adding that his "account will be suspended." 

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Photo via Twitter (@kanyewest account suspended)

Record levels of antisemitism were recorded in Canada last year, with sharp increases in Quebec and British Columbia. The annual audit by Jewish advocacy group B'nai Brith found there were 2,799 anti-Jewish hate crimes, including beatings, vandalism of synagogues, and swastikas in schools.

Antisemitic incidents rose overall by seven per cent, but the number of violent incidents rose by over 700 per cent from nine in 2020 to 75 in 2021.

InfoWars host Jones filed for personal bankruptcy protection on (Dec. 1) in Texas, citing debts that include nearly $1.5 billion he has been ordered to pay to families who sued him over his conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook school massacre.

With files from the Canadian Press.