In response to rapper Ye’s (formerly Kanye West) ad during the Super Bowl on Sunday that pushed viewers to buy a white T-shirt with a black swastika displayed in the center, the Israeli-American Council launched its own merchandise on Wednesday.
Part of the “Hate Is Out of Fashion” campaign for Jewish pride and unity, the shirt is also white with a black token, with a Star of David replacing the Nazi hate symbol. The shirt sells for $18—the number symbolizing chai, the Hebrew word for “life” (plus shipping and handling).
“Whenever and wherever antisemitism rears its ugly head, it poses a threat not only to Jews but to our entire society and its most basic values,” said Elan Carr, IAC CEO and a former U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism. “We American Jews and Israeli-Americans stand on the front lines against the world’s oldest hatred.”
He added that “in response to Kanye West’s despicable attempt to capitalize on his hatred, our creative campaign mirrors his twisted fashion but instead promotes a positive message of pride, philosemitism, and American values.”
IAC said all proceeds from the sale will go towards its initiatives to combat antisemitism, including providing free online Holocaust courses for public schools.
Recently, an AI video featuring deepfakes of Jewish celebrities—created by an Israeli AI expert—has been circulating on social media. They include TV and movie actors and personalities Jerry Seinfeld, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Scarlett Johansson, Jack Black and Mila Kunis.
The celebrities also wear a white shirt with a black symbol but with a hand with an upright middle finger, a Jewish star in the middle and West’s first name underneath.
