No entry ban for Ye: Dutch minister says no legal reason to block Kanye West tour

American rapper Ye will not be issued an entry ban for now, Minister for Asylum and Migration Bart van den Brink has said. Calls for a ban had come from groups including the Central Jewish Consultation, following the United Kingdom’s decision to refuse the artist entry for a London festival. The rapper remains controversial due to antisemitic remarks.

According to the minister, entry can only be refused if there is clear evidence that someone poses a risk to public order or national security, and he said no such evidence is available. Ye, also known as Kanye West, is currently scheduled to perform two shows at the GelreDome in Arnhem on June 6 and 8.

“Based on what is currently known to me, I have no indication that an entry ban can be applied here,” Van den Brink said. The minister added that he must adhere to the “legal frameworks of European law.”

A large group in parliament favors imposing an entry ban, or at minimum exploring whether such a measure is feasible. The ChristenUnie led the call on Tuesday to deny the rapper entry, with the CDA backing the proposal. By the following day, BBB, PVV, and JA21 had also expressed support.

Caroline van der Plas (BBB) argued that individuals promoting Nazi glorification and antisemitism should be denied entry. PVV member Maikel Boon said such views should not be given any platform. Annabel Nanninga (JA21) urged the government to assess whether the United Kingdom’s entry ban on West could be applied in the Netherlands, a position echoed by the VVD, which called for exploring similar measures.

Mohammed Mohandis (GroenLinks-PvdA) described Kanye West’s antisemitic statements as “offensive and deeply unacceptable,” adding that it is the ministry’s responsibility to determine whether they pose a serious threat to public order that could warrant an entry ban.