Arabic version: كير ستارمر ينتقد أداء كاني ويست المرتقب في مهرجان وايرلس

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said it is “deeply concerning” that Kanye West is set to headline Wireless Festival in London this summer. West, now known as Ye, has drawn widespread criticism for antisemitic comments he has made in recent years, for which he issued an apology in January.

According to BBC News, West was announced as the headliner for all three days of the festival earlier this week. Starmer criticized the decision, highlighting that West has been booked “despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.” He emphasized that “antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears.”

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has also weighed in, suggesting that the government should ban West from entering the UK, calling for a tougher stance on antisemitism. He described the rapper’s planned appearance as “extremely serious.”

West’s controversial history includes being blocked from entering Australia last year after releasing a song titled “Heil Hitler,” glorifying the Nazi leader. In November 2025, West held a meeting with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto where he reportedly apologized for his past antisemitic comments. Despite his past apologies, West’s social media activity has led to multiple bans due to offensive posts, including one that combined a swastika with the Star of David.

The Wireless Festival, scheduled for July 10-12, has been described as a “three night journey through his most iconic records.” A spokesperson for London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan stated that West’s past comments are offensive and do not reflect the values of London, noting that the decision was made by the festival organizers rather than City Hall.