Skepta addresses resurfaced photo with Israeli flag: "I was young and naive"
An old photo of British rapper Skepta posing with an Israeli flag after a Tel Aviv concert has sparked renewed debate online. The artist has distanced himself from the image, clarifying it was not intended as a political statement.
British rapper Skepta has responded on Twitter to a resurfaced photo of himself holding an Israeli flag following a performance in Tel Aviv. While the image has been circulated on social media in recent days as evidence of the rapper's alleged support for Israel, he is now distancing himself from the gesture.
"Keep seeing this pop-up on my timeline, I was young and naive," Skepta wrote. "First ever show in Tel Aviv and thought I’d gas up my fans with this picture, but this picture is not a political statement in any way."
For many fans, this explanation fell short, with numerous comments demanding he express support for Palestine. Skepta has previously addressed the topic; in May 2021, he explicitly posted "FREE PALESTINE" in response to a social media prompt. In 2024, he also faced backlash regarding his partnership with Puma due to the company's sponsorship of the Israel Football Association.
"I won't lie, I realized it's much more than reading the fine print before signing contracts," he said at the time. "You have to do due diligence, and yes, I am forever a student on a path that will eventually lead me to an independent route."
This is not the first time the rapper has faced controversy. In the summer of 2024, he released a single titled "Gas Me Up," featuring cover art of men with shaved heads. The imagery, combined with the title, drew immediate comparisons to Nazi death camps. Skepta apologized, stating that the association was unintentional, and subsequently removed the artwork.
