Jewish groups condemn Wireless festival after Kanye West announced as headliner

Wireless Festival has been criticised by Jewish advocacy groups after Kanye West was announced as a headliner for this summer. Appearing on NewsNight on Tuesday (31 March), Phil Rosenberg, President at the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said that the festival has made “absolutely the wrong decision” over the rapper, who has a recent history of making numerous anti-semitic comments. “Many Jewish people will worry that that will just inflame what is already a very febrile situation.” In January, the rapper issued a public apology for a number of statements he made regarding Nazis, Adolf Hitler, and Jewish people. He cited a brain injury caused by a near-fatal 2002 car crash for his erratic behaviour. Mr Rosenburg acknowledged the rapper’s apology but expressed his fear that similar comments could be made again during the upcoming London performances.