Why did Kanye West’s Twitter and Instagram accounts get restricted?
The Grammy award winning rapper made anti-semitic comments on his social media accounts, prompting a swift ban by content moderators.
Ye, better known as Kanye West, was locked out of both his Twitter and Instagram accounts after posting multiple anti-semitic statements in the space of a few hours.
“I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death [sic] con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” West wrote in the now-deleted post on Twitter. “The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also. You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
This all comes the same week as West was criticised for wearing a shirt emblazoned with “white lives matter” during Paris fashion week, drawing the ire of fellow creative Diddy who said, “All lives matter - but that Black Lives Matter, don’t play with it. Don’t wear the shirt. Don’t buy the shirt. Don’t play with the shirt. It’s not a joke.”
An open reply from West to Diddy was another example of anti-semitism with the rapper saying, “Ima use you as an example to show the Jewish people that told you to call me that no one can threaten or influence me.”
The latter post references the anti-semitic theory that a small group of Jews control all world affairs through finance and government behind the scenes. This is the reply that got him banned from Instagram.
His first Twitter post in over two years could be his last. Elon Musk, Twitter’s prospective buyer, for the time being, was quick to welcome Kanye but will be left red-faced by the 45-year-old’s swift arrival and departure.
What did the social media companies say about Kanye’s actions?
Neither Instagram nor Twitter have issued a statement over the banning of Kanye. However, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a Jewish protection organisation, issued a statement on his comments.
“Power. Disloyalty. Greed. Deicide. Blood. Denial. Anti-Zionism. All of these are antisemitic tropes that we break down in our #AntisemitismUncovered Guide,” the Anti-Defamation League stated. “Many of these myths have influenced [West’s] comments recently, and it’s dangerous.”
It’s not the first time Kanye has been criticised by the ADL. Back in 2013 the group noted comments he made that “black people don’t have connections” like Jews.