![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ye2.avif\")
<\/a><\/p>\nKanye West at the 67th Grammys Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The organizers of the popular three-day festival confirmed its cancellation in a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, writing that the British government had withdrawn the artist\u2019s electronic travel authorization, denying him entry into the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
\u201cMultiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time,\u201d said the festival, which had earlier defended its booking by saying Ye \u201chad the legal right to perform\u201d in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
\u201cAntisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had,\u201d the statement continued. \u201cAs YE said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Ye had previously been granted permission to enter the country, his electronic travel authorization was later withdrawn on the grounds that his presence in the U.K. would not be \u201cconducive to the public good,\u201d according to the BBC.<\/p>\n
The cancellation of Ye\u2019s slated appearance in London came as the festival faced a wave of rescinded sponsorships as well as criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer over its headliner, who has previously vowed to go \u201cdeath con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE\u201d and released a song last year titled \u201cHeil Hitler.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prior to the revocation of Ye\u2019s travel authorization, the artist said that he would be \u201cgrateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the U.K. in person, to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ye, who has previously apologized for his antisemitic rhetoric, added, \u201cI know words aren\u2019t enough. I\u2019ll have to show change through my actions. If you\u2019re open, I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Starmer, who had previously called Ye\u2019s selection to head the festival \u201cdeeply concerning,\u201d wrote in a post on X Tuesday that the artist \u201cshould never have been invited to headline Wireless.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis government stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism,\u201d Starmer wrote. \u201cWe will always take the action necessary to protect the public and uphold our values.\u201d<\/p>\n
British Jewish groups that called for Ye\u2019s entry permit to be revoked cheered the decision.<\/p>\n
Phil Rosenberg, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, welcomed the government\u2019s decision in a statement, adding that it was \u201cdeeply regrettable that Wireless Festival invited him in the first place and then doubled down when the Jewish community and our allies objected.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that lessons are learned across the music industry. Music festivals should be places where all communities feel welcome, not venues that platform individuals with records of profiteering from antisemitism, racism and other repulsive views.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Campaign Against Antisemitism, a British antisemitism watchdog, took aim at the festival\u2019s statement announcing the cancellation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice that now Wireless is saying \u2018Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent\u2019 when just a few hours ago the festival promoter was saying we all need to forgive Kanye for declaring himself a full-blown Nazi only recently,\u201d the group wrote in a post on X. \u201cThere are plenty of musicians in the world who could have headlined this festival and brought delight to thousands of fans. Maybe next time organisers should look beyond Nuremberg to fill their roster.\u201d<\/p>\n