India, April 24 -- The repercussions of the anti-Semitic remarks made by rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, show no signs of fading. After his performances were cancelled in the United Kingdom (UK), France and Switzerland, his upcoming concert in Italy has now come under scrutiny, triggering widespread backlash. Ye is scheduled to headline the Hellwatt Festival on July 18 at the RCF Arena in the northern Italian city of Reggio Emilia. While the performance is currently on track, the city's Jewish community, anti-fascist resistance groups, trade unions and politicians have joined forces to oppose it and demand its cancellation. Pina Picierno, vice-president of the European Parliament and a senior member of Italy's Democratic Party, has urged the Italian government to intervene. "The UK denied the visa. France effectively prevented the Marseille concert," she told Gazzetta di Reggio, adding, "Italy, meanwhile, is just staying idle with 68,000 tickets sold, as if nothing had happened." The mayor of Reggio Emilia, Marco Massari, also issued a statement distancing himself from Ye's behaviour and remarks, adding that the decision regarding his entry into the country and the concert rests with Italy's ministry of the interior. Victor Yari Milani, artistic director of Hellwatt Festival, told ANSA that the event is "a space for free artistic expression". While acknowledging that Ye's past comments have provoked a "legitimate reaction", he urged people to consider his formal apology published in The Wall Street Journal in January. In it, Ye stated that he is not a Nazi or anti-Semite but suffers from bipolar disorder. "I would add that we have asked him to apologise in Italy as well," he said.htc...