Kanye West has become the poster child of conservative antisemitism, held aloft as proof that bias against the Jewish people exists on both sides of the political aisle.

But the Israeli former COO of West’s fashion company Yeezy says the rapper didn’t really mean what he said about Jews, and should be seen as mentally unstable.

Responding to the controversy over Kanye West threatening to “go death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,” former Yeezy COO Udi Avshalom wrote on Instagram:

“I believe with education he will have a more positive [point of view], mental health is NO joke. I love my guy and upset at the same time at all this, he knows he talkin [sic] nonsense, he is wrong, as he reflects he will realize.

“He has trusted me for years, I am Jewish. We made history together. I helped build his brand for him. Jews and blacks partner cause we are fearless and forgiving ppl [sic], we share the same values.”

Kanye West has acknowledged his struggles with bipolar disorder, though most say that is no excuse for his recent antisemitic tirades.