(CNN) – Ye, the rapper and businessman also known as Kanye West, apologized to the Jewish community for any “unintentional offense” caused by “his words or actions” in a message written in Hebrew and shared on Instagram on Tuesday.
The rapper said: “It was never my intention to hurt or disrespect and I am deeply sorry for the pain I have caused.”
He continued that he recognized the value of what he learned from this experience and that he is “committed to fostering greater sensitivity and understanding in the future,” adding that community forgiveness “is for me has significant value and to which I feel committed.” Creating peace and working for unity.
It's unclear what led to the post, which doesn't elaborate on the nature of Ye's apology.
More than a year ago, he said he would “die at 3.” [sic] against the JEWISH PEOPLE” in an online post that led to the suspension of his Twitter account. This came days after his Instagram account was suspended due to the company violating its policies.
Following these statements, Adidas ended its lucrative partnership with Ye and his clothing brand Yeezy. In a statement after the deal was terminated last October, the sportswear maker said it “does not tolerate anti-Semitism or any other type of hate speech.” However, the company's CEO said in an interview earlier this year that he didn't believe Ye “meant what he said.”
Ye has a long history of anti-Semitic statements, including private praise of Hitler, sources who have worked with him in the past told CNN last year. In 2022, Ye invited Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes to meet with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, according to a source with knowledge of the meeting.
Ye currently does not have a publicist and documents filed in California for his holding company Ox Paha do not include a phone number or email address. The websites of former companies, including GOOD Music, Donda Creative and Donda Academy, are no longer operational.