British MC Skepta has addressed a resurfaced photograph from 2007 that shows him posing with an Israeli flag. The image, which has recently circulated on social media, was taken during the artist's first-ever performance in Tel Aviv. In a direct response to the online discourse, the rapper clarified that the gesture was not intended to carry any political weight.
"Keep seeing this pop-up on my timeline, kmt. I was young and naive," Skepta wrote in a post. "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."
Keep seeing this pop-up on my timeline kmt I was young and naive. 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 anyway 😖 https://t.co/3dh1ohXlmT
— Big Smoke - (@Skepta) August 15, 2026
The artist has previously been vocal about his support for Palestine. In May 2021, he publicly declared "FREE PALESTINE" in response to a social media prompt. Furthermore, in 2024, he faced public scrutiny regarding his collaboration with PUMA, citing the brand's sponsorship of the Israeli Football Association. At that time, he acknowledged the need for greater due diligence in his professional partnerships, stating, "Ain’t gonna lie, I’ve realised it’s a lot more than reading the small print before signing contracts."
This is not the first time the rapper has had to clarify his creative choices. Earlier in 2024, he removed the original artwork for his single 'Gas Me Up (Diligent)' following criticism that the imagery evoked associations with Jewish prisoners in Nazi concentration camps. He apologized for the oversight, explaining that the campaign was intended to reflect his parents' migration to the UK in the 1980s.
Currently, Skepta continues to focus on his music, having recently released the house-influenced EP Más Tiempo Vol. 2. He is also preparing for the release of his upcoming album, Fork And Knife, which will serve as the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2019 project, Ignorance Is Bliss.