By: Fern Sidman – Jewish Voice News

In a disturbing revelation that shines a spotlight on the accelerating normalization of antisemitism in digital spaces, the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) has sounded the alarm over an online store hosted by Shopify that is openly selling apparel emblazoned with the hate slogan “Death, death to the IDF.” The phrase—an explicit call for violence against Israeli soldiers and, by extension, Jews worldwide—has triggered outrage from Jewish advocacy organizations and human rights monitors, who argue that this incident reflects a growing pattern of corporate complacency toward the online commercialization of hate.

According to a November 3^rd report on the CAM website, the store in question operates under the “Punk With a Camera” brand and gained notoriety after sharing an Instagram reel on June 30 featuring the same chant. The slogan was first popularized days earlier at the Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom, when the British rap duo Bob Vylan led crowds in the incendiary refrain. The aftermath was immediate: the Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitic activity in the UK, recorded the single highest daily total of antisemitic incidents the very next day.

The report at CAM noted that while the artists themselves have faced widespread condemnation, the spread of their message into online commerce marks a dangerous escalation—turning rhetoric into revenue, and slogans of hate into wearable ideology. “What we are witnessing is not free expression but the monetization of incitement,” CAM said in a statement. “This is an explicit violation of Shopify’s own rules, as well as the most basic moral standards of civil society.”

Shopify, the Canadian e-commerce giant that powers millions of online stores, appears on paper to maintain strong prohibitions against violent or hateful content. Its Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) explicitly bans merchants from “calling for or threatening violence against specific people or groups.” Moreover, in August 2024—after mounting criticism for hosting racist and antisemitic merchandise—the company expanded its public-facing help documentation to forbid “products promoting hateful content, violence, gore, profanity or offensive content” through its checkout and payment systems.

But as the Combat Antisemitism Movement and other watchdogs have observed, the problem lies in enforcement—or the lack thereof. Shopify’s policy structure is split across multiple documents, creating technical loopholes that allow extremist merchants to remain active even while violating the platform’s stated principles.

As the CAM report explained, the AUP governs what sellers can host on their websites, while the newer help-page restrictions apply to payment processing and visibility in Shopify’s consumer app. This bureaucratic fragmentation enables the company to claim adherence to ethical standards while failing to remove offending merchants until public pressure mounts. “It’s a system built for plausible deniability,” CAM commented. “Shopify can point to its policies as proof of virtue while hate groups continue to profit under its infrastructure.”

This incident is far from isolated. Earlier this year, Shopify belatedly removed the online store operated by rapper Kanye West after it began offering swastika-themed merchandise, an action it took only after widespread condemnation. The Combat Antisemitism Movement has also documented the persistence of other brands using Shopify’s services to sell “Global Intifada” apparel, which glorifies anti-Israel violence and calls for a worldwide uprising against Jews.

Such merchandise, CAM argues, directly violates the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, which identifies “calls for, aiding, or justifying violence against Jews” as antisemitic. CAM has repeatedly urged corporations, including Shopify, to adopt and apply the IHRA definition as an operational standard for content moderation and product review. “Had Shopify implemented IHRA criteria in its vetting process,” CAM stated, “this merchandise would never have been approved for sale in the first place.”

Shopify often points to its “Report a Merchant” feature as a mechanism for community policing. The form includes a “Threat of violence” option for reporting policy violations. Yet according to CAM and other advocacy groups, this system places the burden of enforcement on the public rather than the platform itself.

“It is neither fair nor effective to expect Jewish organizations and private citizens to act as unpaid compliance officers for multi-billion-dollar tech corporations,” said a CAM spokesperson. “The responsibility to uphold ethical standards lies with the host platform—not with those harmed by its negligence.”

Shopify’s inaction, they argue, is not merely a failure of enforcement but a moral abdication. By allowing such merchants to operate, even temporarily, the company is not simply turning a blind eye—it is profiting from the digital infrastructure that sustains hate.

At the heart of CAM’s criticism is the notion that commerce can no longer hide behind neutrality. The sale of merchandise calling for the death of Jewish soldiers—or anyone—crosses the boundary between political expression and incitement. “The distinction between speech and violence collapses when money changes hands,” noted the recent CAM report. “Every transaction becomes an act of participation.”

Indeed, CAM points out that chants such as “Death, death to the IDF” cannot be dismissed as mere political hyperbole. Within the framework of IHRA’s definition, such language constitutes an unambiguous call for violence against Jews. “It is antisemitism in its purest and most lethal form,” CAM warned, “and the fact that it is now being commercialized only deepens the outrage.”

The group has called on Shopify’s leadership to immediately remove the “Punk With a Camera” store, issue a public apology, and commit to a comprehensive review of its internal content moderation systems. They have also urged governments and regulatory bodies to hold e-commerce platforms accountable for enabling the dissemination of extremist propaganda.

The Combat Antisemitism Movement has consistently highlighted how the internet has transformed antisemitism from a fringe ideology into a mainstream social contagion. The group’s research shows that online hate campaigns have become exponentially more sophisticated since October 7, 2023—the date of Hamas’s massacre in Israel—when global antisemitic incidents surged to levels unseen in decades.

CAM’s analysts have traced how social media algorithms, music festivals, and online merchandising intersect to create ecosystems of radicalization. What begins as a chant at a concert can morph into a viral slogan, then a digital product, and finally a symbol of belonging within extremist subcultures. “What we’re witnessing is the industrialization of antisemitism,” CAM concluded in a recent briefing. “Technology companies must decide whether they will be bystanders—or partners in prevention.”

CAM has encouraged individuals to take immediate steps to pressure Shopify into enforcing its own rules. Concerned users can report the “Punk With a Camera” store using Shopify’s “Threat of violence” reporting form, attaching the Instagram reel and screenshots that clearly display the “Powered by Shopify” footer. CAM also recommends citing Shopify’s own AUP language, which prohibits calls for violence, and its help-page clause forbidding “products promoting hateful or violent content.”

“This is not simply about one store or one slogan,” CAM emphasized. “It’s about setting a precedent. If we tolerate this, we normalize it. If we act, we draw the line.”

The episode now places Shopify at the center of a broader moral reckoning confronting the technology sector. As CAM and other advocacy groups have warned, corporations that profit from the infrastructure of hate can no longer claim innocence through omission. “Every company that builds or hosts an online marketplace must understand that its choices shape the moral landscape of our time,” said a CAM representative. “To sell hate is to endorse it.”

For the Combat Antisemitism Movement, the issue extends far beyond a single retailer or platform. It is a litmus test for whether Western society will uphold its values in an era when commerce, politics, and ideology collide in the cloud. “Antisemitism has always adapted to the technologies of its age,” CAM concluded. “The question now is whether our ethics will adapt quickly enough to stop it.”

By: Andrew Carlson

A video circulating widely across social media has ignited both curiosity and controversy, reportedly showing rapper and designer Kanye West—who has faced intense backlash for a series of antisemitic remarks over the past two years—meeting privately with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, founder of the international Shuva Israel network.

According to a report on Thursday at VIN News, the short clip depicts what appears to be an intimate conversation between the Grammy-winning artist and the influential rabbi, known for his extensive following across Israel, the United States, and Morocco. In the video, West is heard expressing contrition for his past comments about Jews and Israel, saying, “I’m taking accountability for my recent antisemitic statements, attributing it to bipolar disorder. I really just appreciate you embracing me with open arms and allowing me to make amends.”

While the brief footage has prompted an outpouring of reactions, VIN News noted that neither the date nor the full context of the encounter has been independently verified, and Rabbi Pinto’s office has yet to release an official statement confirming or clarifying the meeting. Nonetheless, the viral video—if authenticated—could mark a significant turning point in West’s troubled public rehabilitation efforts.

As VIN News reported, the video shows West seated across from Rabbi Pinto in what appears to be a modest, private setting—possibly a study hall or synagogue meeting room. Rabbi Pinto, dressed in his customary black frock coat and white shirt, listens attentively as West speaks. The rabbi, who is regarded by many as both a spiritual leader and a figure of moral persuasion, does not respond verbally in the clip, though his expression suggests measured compassion.

Observers online have quickly split into two camps. Supporters argue that West’s willingness to seek dialogue with a prominent Jewish religious figure indicates an earnest attempt at personal growth and reconciliation. Critics, however, remain skeptical, questioning the timing and sincerity of his remarks and suggesting that West’s reference to bipolar disorder could serve as an excuse rather than genuine accountability.

In its coverage, VIN News underscored that the video’s veracity remains unconfirmed and that major fact-checking organizations have not yet validated the footage. Even so, the symbolism of such a meeting—between a global celebrity whose words have caused widespread harm and a revered rabbinic leader known for his outreach and interfaith efforts—has fueled extensive debate in both religious and entertainment circles.

Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto has long held a unique position in the Jewish world, combining traditional Torah scholarship with a global outreach network under the banner of Shuva Israel. With institutions spanning from Ashdod and Jerusalem to New York, Miami, and Casablanca, Rabbi Pinto has cultivated relationships with business leaders, public officials, and cultural figures seeking spiritual guidance.

Kanye West, known as Ye, in meeting with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto says he’s “taking accountability” for his recent antisemitic statements, attributing it to bipolar disorder.

“I really just appreciate you embracing me with open arms and allowing me to make amends.”… pic.twitter.com/1oSY9RwwbX

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) November 6, 2025

As the VIN News report detailed, Rabbi Pinto is known for his teachings on compassion, charity, and teshuvah (repentance)—principles central to Jewish thought. His followers describe him as a man capable of engaging both the devout and the secular, guiding them toward moral self-improvement without judgment.

That West would approach Pinto, of all figures, carries a certain moral resonance. Rabbi Pinto’s leadership has often centered on the idea that no soul is beyond redemption, a message that aligns with the Jewish concept that repentance and humility can restore moral balance even after severe missteps. Yet, as the VIN News report observed, such forgiveness is predicated on sincerity—and the public remains divided over whether West has truly internalized the gravity of his previous offenses.

The controversy surrounding Kanye West’s relationship with the Jewish community began in late 2022 when he unleashed a series of antisemitic remarks on social media and during interviews. He invoked harmful tropes, praised Adolf Hitler, and made inflammatory statements about Jewish influence in entertainment and finance. These comments led to widespread condemnation, the severing of business partnerships—including his lucrative deal with Adidas—and significant financial losses.

Since then, West has periodically hinted at remorse but has often complicated his own attempts at repair through erratic behavior and inconsistent messaging. His reference in the new video to bipolar disorder echoes past claims he has made about his mental health, which he has alternately described as both a burden and a source of creativity.

As the VIN News report pointed out, attributing antisemitic statements to a psychiatric condition raises difficult ethical questions. While mental illness may explain impulsivity or poor judgment, it does not absolve individuals of moral accountability for speech that promotes hatred. “Accountability requires both acknowledgment and tangible change,” one religious commentator told VIN News. “Words of apology must be accompanied by actions that demonstrate understanding.”

Reaction to the viral clip has been swift and deeply polarized. Some social media users have hailed West’s outreach to a rabbi as “a courageous step toward healing,” while others have derided it as a calculated attempt at image rehabilitation amid continued ostracization from mainstream media and business circles.

As VIN News reported, the skepticism stems partly from the lack of transparency surrounding the meeting—no official statement, no clear date, and no indication of who initiated the contact. Several public relations experts quoted in the report suggested that, given West’s notoriety, any genuine act of contrition would need to be accompanied by sustained, long-term engagement with Jewish organizations rather than a single filmed encounter.

“The public has seen this pattern before,” said one crisis communications specialist cited by VIN News. “A celebrity under fire seeks the blessing of a religious or moral authority, hoping for instant absolution. But redemption is never that simple—it must be earned through time and consistent behavior.”

The timing of this incident is especially sensitive. As VIN News has documented extensively, antisemitic incidents in the United States have surged dramatically over the past two years, fueled in part by online hate speech and extremist ideologies. In that broader context, West’s prior remarks were not isolated celebrity outbursts—they became a megaphone that emboldened others.

Jewish leaders have repeatedly stressed that public figures bear extraordinary responsibility when discussing issues of race, religion, and identity. “When a person with West’s global influence traffics in antisemitic tropes, it doesn’t stay online,” said one New York rabbi quoted by VIN News. “It filters into classrooms, boardrooms, and street corners. It normalizes prejudice.”

If authentic, the video of West with Rabbi Pinto could represent the first meaningful step toward repairing that damage. But as the VIN News report cautioned, true teshuvah—repentance—requires more than confession. In Jewish ethics, repentance involves a fourfold process: acknowledgment of wrongdoing, remorse, restitution, and behavioral change. Without all four, the process remains incomplete.

At the time of this writing, key details remain murky. Neither West nor Rabbi Pinto has released an official statement, and representatives for both men have declined to comment. Independent verification agencies are still working to confirm the authenticity of the footage, which appears to have originated from a private account before being shared across multiple platforms.

Whether this encounter marks the beginning of West’s moral restoration—or merely another fleeting spectacle—will depend largely on his subsequent actions. If he follows through with sustained engagement, continued dialogue, and concrete steps to counter antisemitism, this could indeed become a watershed moment in his public life. If not, it may fade into the long history of celebrity apologies that evaporate as quickly as they appear.