VVD leader Yeşilgöz backtracks, apologizes for accusing singer of anti-Semitism
VVD party leader Dilan Yeşilgöz has formally apologized to Dutch singer Douwe Bob after accusing him of anti-Semitism on social media, a claim that led to a legal dispute, serious threats against the musician, and his temporary departure from the Netherlands with his family.
The controversy began in late June when Douwe Bob left a children’s football event in Amsterdam after allegedly encountering Zionist posters and pamphlets displayed at the venue. According to Bob, these materials violated a prior agreement with organizers that the event would be free of political or religious statements. “I love the Jewish community, I am against Zionism, and that is what is sold here. That is why I cannot play here now,” the singer wrote on social media before leaving the event.
Following this, VVD leader Yeşilgöz posted on X (formerly Twitter) accusing Douwe Bob of refusing to perform for children because they were Jewish and labeling him an anti-Semite. The singer’s management described her claim as “unfounded and excessive” and said it “incited public rejection,” which led to serious death threats against Bob, forcing him and his family to go into hiding and eventually leave the country in early July.
“I am writing this from the car on the way from the Netherlands,” Bob posted on social media. “To ensure the safety of my family and myself, we have decided to leave for the time being.” Police later arrested a 38-year-old Amsterdam man suspected of threatening the singer. The man, identified by the AD newspaper as Bob T., leads the conservative graffiti group Amsterdam Defence Force (ADF), which has roots in the Ajax football supporters’ scene.
Douwe Bob also filed charges of libel, slander, and insult against Yeşilgöz with the Public Prosecution Service. His lawyer Willem Jebbink said, “This concerns the violation of Douwe Bob’s honor and good name. Dilan Yeşilgöz claimed that he is a Jew-hater, an anti-Semite, still one of the most serious accusations you can face.”
After weeks of tension, the parties reached a resolution this week, issuing a joint statement and withdrawing the lawsuit under confidentiality agreements. In the joint statement, Yeşilgöz said, “I should not have accused Douwe Bob of anti-Semitism or of refusing to perform for children because they are Jewish. That was incorrect. I apologize to Douwe Bob and have deleted the tweet in question.”
Douwe Bob expressed regret that attendees at the children’s football tournament “felt rejected because of their identity,” adding, “That was definitely not my intention.”
Yeşilgöz and Bob concluded their joint statement by emphasizing, “In a time of increasing polarization, we consciously choose connection and responsibility. Together, we want to put this matter behind us.”
Douwe Bob made his first public appearance since returning to the Netherlands at the Gelderpop festival in Voorthuizen, Gelderland. The 32-year-old musician was met with loud applause and greeted the audience with peace signs. “Shall we only talk about nice things today? Enough drama, guys. Love. A lot of love for everyone. That is ultimately what we have to do, right? Come together,” he said. “I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.”
Douwe Bob’s lawyer, Lotte van Schuylenburg, confirmed the lawsuit’s withdrawal to RTL but declined to reveal whether any damages were paid, citing confidentiality agreements.
