Kanye West was blocked from entering England by the UK government as London’s Wireless Festival, which he was set to headline in July, was canceled.
The festival’s organizers said in a statement Tuesday: “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket-holders.”
“Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognize the real and personal impact these issues have had,” the statement continued.
The organizers added, “As 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.”
Page Six has reached out to reps for the Wireless Festival for comment.
The Home Office told the BBC on Tuesday that they denied West’s application to travel to the UK, which was submitted via an Electronic Travel Authorization.
The decision was made “on the grounds that [West’s] presence would not be conducive to the public good,” the outlet reported.
West’s past antisemitic behavior created mounting pressure to ban him from headlining Wireless Festival, which was set scheduled for July 10 – 12 at Finsbury Park.
Wireless sponsors Pepsi, Rockstar Energy and Diageo had pulled out of the festival.
And despite its cancellation, festival organizer Melvin Benn released a statement Monday backing the company’s decision to book the 48-year-old rapper.
“Forgiveness and giving people a second chance are becoming a lost virtue in this ever-increasing divisive world,” Benn said, per Variety.
“I would ask people to reflect on their instant comments of disgust at the likelihood of him performing (as was mine) and offer some forgiveness and hope to him as I have decided to do,” he added.
West offered to meet members of the Jewish community in the UK on Tuesday before his visa application was denied and the festival was canceled.
“I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly,” he said in a statement, per the BBC.
West, who now goes by Ye, explained that his “only goal” in coming to London is to “present a show of change, bringing unity, peace and love through my music.”
He added, “I know words aren’t enough — I’ve have to show change through my actions.
“If you’re open, I’m here. With Love.”
However, Jewish leaders from groups like the Jewish Leadership Council and Campaign Against Antisemitism said they refuse to meet with West.
West was condemned for multiple instances of antisemitism that included advertising a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website and releasing a song called “Heil Hitler.”
He even dubbed himself a Nazi last year.
In January, West apologized for his antisemitism in a full-page Wall Street Journal ad, blaming his actions on a decades-old car accident that caused his bipolar disease.
He’s since been trying to stage a comeback, having performed for more than 70,000 fans at California’s SoFi Stadium on April 1.
