In a recent development, Israeli mixed-martial artist Haim Gozali has once again courted controversy by claiming responsibility for inscribing rapper Kanye West’s name on an Israeli missile purportedly designated for use in the ongoing conflict with Palestine. The contentious photo, featuring a missile bearing the inscription “@kanyewest you don’t like us Jewish. So we don’t like you too!!!,” was shared online by Gozali.
Known for his outspoken stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, Gozali, a former Bellator-affiliated MMA fighter, has a history of making provocative statements and gestures. In November, he faced criticism for inscribing the names of Muslim UFC fighters on a bomb, a move perceived as taunting those expressing support for Palestine.
The recent image, posted on Gozali’s Twitter account, showcases missiles allegedly in the possession of Israeli soldiers, linking Kanye West to Gaza in a crude and provocative manner. The caption accompanying the photo reads, “Kanye West Flying to Gaza Haim Gozali.”
The origin of the inscriptions remains unclear, with uncertainty regarding whether Gozali personally carried out the act or if it was done on his behalf by someone within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
TMZ reports suggest that the motivation behind this provocative act is Kanye West’s perceived antisemitic rhetoric over the past year. While Kanye has not explicitly addressed the ongoing conflict, he has spent a significant amount of time in the region working on his new album.
As of now, Kanye West has not responded to Gozali’s controversial post, leaving the situation with its share of unanswered questions.
