West, now known as Ye, has caused outrage for antisemitic and pro-Nazi comments in recent years.
In one instance, he posted an image appearing to show a symbol combining a swastika and the Star of David and saying he would go “death con 3 On Jewish people”.
This January, West apologised in a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, writing: “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite.”
He said he regretted and was “deeply mortified” by his actions and that his bipolar disorder meant “you’re manic, you don’t think you’re sick”.
Following the announcement that West would be headlining Wireless Festival, brands such as Pepsi, Rockstar Energy and Diageo pulled out as sponsors of the event.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the prospect of West headlining the festival “deeply concerning” and said the antisemitism in any form was “abhorrent”.
The Conservative Party called on the government to refuse West a visa, arguing that “allowing someone with his track record to headline a major public event sends entirely the wrong message”.
It is understood that ministers are considering West’s permission to enter the UK. The rapper has already been refused entry to Australia, which cancelled his visa after he released Heil Hitler last May.
Rosenberg, president of representative body the Board of Deputies of British Jews, told the BBC: “The two key facts remain that Kanye West proclaimed himself a Nazi, and that Wireless stands to benefit financially from his performance.”
Rosenberg said the festival should withdraw its invitation for West to perform, adding: “Kanye West may well be on the path to health and healing. We sincerely hope that he is. But the space to test this is not over three days on the Wireless main stage.”
Meanwhile, the Jewish Leadership Council said it was “deeply disappointed” by the Benn’s statement “which demonstrates a clear failure to understand the issue at hand”.
“While his sponsors are abandoning his festival as they rightly decide not to profit from racism, Benn has chosen to stick by an individual responsible for spreading antisemitism to his vast audience,” the council said in a statement.