Amy Schumer’s manager, Guy Oseary, took a moment out of celebrating America to defend his buddy, Jay-Z, on Instagram Saturday.

In the midst of his new album’s resounding critical success, Jay-Z has found himself at the center of accusations of anti-semitism for the lyrics “You wanna know what’s more important than throwin’ away money at a strip club? Credit. You ever wonder why Jewish people own all the property in America? This how they did it. Financial freedom my only hope. F*** livin’ rich and dryin’ broke.”

Oseary, who was born in Israel and is personally acquainted with the rapper, said he felt compelled to respond to multiple inquiries he received asking for his take on the lyrics.

“In my opinion, Jay-Z is giving the jewish community a compliment,” wrote Oseary in an Instagram post. “Giving ‘credit’ to a community that understands what it means to have ‘credit’ … I’m good with that.”

You can read the whole Instagram post below.

I’ve received a few messages from friends wondering why Jay-Z is putting out anti-semitic lyrics in his new song “The Story Of O.J.” … If you read the lyrics out of context I can understand why people are jumping to that conclusion.. But if you listen to the song in its entirety you will hear that the whole of the song is based on exaggerated stereotypes to make a point.. There are African American stereotypes throughout the song.. The music video directed by @markromanek and Jay is entirely full of exaggerated stereotype imagery of African Americans.. Jewish people do NOT “own all the property in America”. Jay knows this.. But hes attempting to use the jewish people in an exaggerated way to showcase a community of people that are thought to have made wise business decisions.. As an example of what is possible and achievable.. Yes, the “rich jew” the “business jew” the “jew that owns the world” is a stereotype which has been repeatedly used with the wrong sentiment.. meant only to harm the Jewish people. Perpetuating the absurdity that jews are taking over the world.. Fact: There are 7.5 billion people in the world.. Only 14 million of them are jews.. Thats 0.2 percent of the worlds population.. In my opinion, Jay is giving the jewish community a compliment.. ” Financial freedom” he mentions as being his ONLY hope.. If you had to pick a community as an example of making wise financial decisions achieving financial freedom who would you choose?.. Im not offended by these lyrics.. I hear them the way he inteded them to be heard.. Giving “credit” to a community that supposedly understands what it means to have “credit”.. I’m good with that.. ??✡️

A post shared by Guy Oseary (@guyoseary) on Jul 1, 2017 at 11:43am PDT

Becky Scott is the editor of The Schmooze. Follow her on Twitter at @arr_scott

Why I became the Forward’s editor-in-chief

You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.

And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.

That’s where you come in. Gifts of any size keep the Forward free and accessible to everyone and ensure we have the resources we need to power the Forward at this critical time for American Jews.

Don't just read the Forward - invest in it. Will you support our work today?

, editor-in-chief

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$120 $180 $360 OTHER AMOUNT