Kanye West, the American rapper, has been blocked from entering Australia after releasing a song that glorifies Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Australia’s home affairs minister, Tony Burke, announced that West’s visa was canceled following the release of the controversial song “Heil Hitler” in early May. The song, which has been widely condemned and banned on most platforms, adds to West’s history of making controversial and anti-Semitic remarks.
West, who is married to Australian designer Bianca Censori, sparked renewed outrage with the song’s release. Minister Burke stated in an interview that the decision to cancel West’s visa was part of a broader policy against allowing individuals who promote hatred and bigotry to enter Australia. “If someone argued that anti-Semitism was rational, I would not let them come here,” Mr.
Burke said, specifically referencing West’s case. Although West has visited Australia numerous times before, the release of the song led officials to reconsider his visa status. The permanence of the visa ban is uncertain, as future applications will be reassessed according to Australian law.
Visa canceled over hateful song
Mr. Burke emphasized the country’s commitment to not importing bigotry, stating, “We have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.”
This is not the first time West has faced potential entry bans in Australia.
In 2023, Education Minister Jason Clare condemned West’s comments on Hitler and the Holocaust and indicated that he could be denied entry. Despite the backlash, “Heil Hitler” garnered millions of views shortly after its release and is part of West’s new album “WW3,” which includes other tracks with controversial lyrics. The music video for “Heil Hitler,” released on May 8, features a group of men wearing animal skins and chanting the song’s title.
Shortly after the backlash, West announced he was “done with anti-Semitism” and released a new version of the song titled “Hallelujah,” which replaced the Nazi references with lyrics related to Christianity. West has been a polarizing figure in recent years due to his controversial statements and actions. In 2022, Adidas ended its partnership with West over his anti-Semitic comments.
The controversy surrounding West’s actions and the broader public and political responses highlight ongoing global sensitivities regarding hate speech and anti-Semitism.
