IBSI's Official Statement on Ye (Kanye West)

The Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel (IBSI) is very disappointed with the latest antisemitic statements being made by Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. Ye’s position as a hip-hop megastar and international fashion mogul makes him one of the most influential voices in the world. What he says impacts millions of people, and with Jew hatred on a steady rise in the West/U.S., this is beyond disconcerting. We are also concerned with the role Candace Owens seems to have played in what may indeed be Ye’s false allegations. Specifically, Ye has repeatedly indicated that JP Morgan Chase is severing its relationship with him because of his antisemitic tweets and statements around October 8th and 9th. But there is evidence to suggest that Ye is the one who initiated the termination with JP Morgan.

On Monday, October 12th, Ms. Owens posted a tweet that seemed to corroborate Ye’s statement that he was “officially kicked out of JP Morgan Chase bank” for his verbal attacks on the Jewish community — something on which Ye has gladly doubled down. However, Sara Eisen replied to Owen’s tweet stating that Ye,

announced on CNBC during our interview he was pulling his money out of JPMorgan and switching to Bank of America because Jamie Dimon didn’t call him. This was several weeks ago, September 15. This letter appears to be an acknowledgement of his breakup.

If Ms. Owens’ tweet displays the letter from JP Morgan dated September 20th, then the letter could not have been in response to Ye’s antisemitic remarks in early October, more than two weeks later. Further, Ye seems to have begun publicly expressing his disapproval of his treatment by JP Morgan in early September.

We call on Ye to stop his attacks on the Jewish community and, rather, seek a resolution to whatever issues that are besetting his family and business ventures. We also call on Candace Owens to clarify her comments regarding Ye and JP Morgan by revealing the date of the letter she posted. There is more than enough confusion, antisemitism, and division in our society. Baseless attacks on an entire group of people — especially a people who are already being targeted — will only make matters much worse.