Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, leaves federal court during the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs in New York, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Larry Neumeister, File)
Home Affairs Minister says country won’t “import hatred” amid backlash to track glorifying Nazi leader.
By David Brummer, World Israel News
Australia has revoked the visa of controversial American rapper Kanye West — legally known as Ye — following the release of his latest song, “Heil Hitler”, which officials said glorifies Nazi ideology.
The track, released on May 8 — the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II — has sparked global condemnation, with Australian officials citing it as the reason for denying the rapper entry, according to AFP.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Wednesday that although West has previously made “offensive comments,” the release of “Heil Hitler” prompted a formal review of his immigration status.
“He no longer has a valid visa in Australia,” Burke told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), adding that while the visa in question was not for performing, officials “still looked at the law and said: You’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism — we don’t need that in Australia.”
West, 48, has familial ties to the country through his Australian wife, Bianca Censori, and has made repeated visits in recent years.
But Burke made clear that the government’s stance was firm: “I think what’s not sustainable is to import hatred.”
He emphasized that freedom of expression exists for Australian citizens, but added, “We have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.”
The backlash to “Heil Hitler” extends beyond Australia.
In Slovakia, where West is scheduled to perform in July, more than 3,000 people signed a petition calling for the cancellation of the concert.
The petition described West’s behavior as an “insult to historic memory” and accused him of glorifying “wartime violence” and the Nazi regime.
The music video features black men in pelts and masks chanting the song’s title, while West raps about being misunderstood and his legal battle with ex-wife Kim Kardashian.
The track closes with audio from a speech by Adolf Hitler.
West — once a vocal supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump — has faced mounting controversy over his praise of Nazi figures and association with other embattled celebrities.
He recently endorsed Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently on trial in New York on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. A verdict in that case is pending.
Police appealed for witnesses after a video of the antisemitic speech circulated widely online.
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