(Jewish Group) Kanye West inspired at least 30 antisemitic incidents since October

At least 30 antisemitic incidents since October involved a direct reference to disgraced rapper Kanye West, according to a new Anti-Defamation League report, but it’s unclear if the overall level of antisemitic crime also rose.

The report, released Monday, described a wide range of incidents, including hate groups setting up information tables at universities, graffiti in cities across the United States, and antisemitic harassment where West, who goes by the name Ye, was invoked. West’s career took a sharp turn in October, beginning with a tweet where he vowed to go “death con 3” against Jewish people and continuing with numerous media appearances where he praised Hitler, denied the Holocaust and accused Jews of various conspiracies, among other statements.

Among the most visible incidents were tables set up at universities by the Groypers — an alt-right movement associated with white supremacist Nick Fuentes. The tables were decorated with banners reading “Ye is Right — Change My Mind.”

Oren Segal, vice president of the ADL’s Center on Extremism, acknowledged that hate groups such as the Groypers were not radicalized by West and had preexisting antisemitic beliefs. But, he said, the group has leveraged West’s high profile to amplify their message and normalize antisemitism.

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