Jewish Council seeks court order to block Kanye West’s entry ahead of Arnhem concerts
The Central Jewish Council (CJO) has filed summary proceedings to force an entry ban against American rapper Ye, who previously went by Kanye West, as he prepares to perform on June 6 and June 8 at the Gelredome in Arnhem. The legal action comes as the Dutch government refuses to block his entry, saying there is no legal basis to do so, Trouw reports.
The CJO argues that Ye’s presence threatens public order and creates a heightened sense of insecurity, particularly among Jewish people in the Netherlands, according to CJO chairman Chanan Hertzberger.
Ye has repeatedly made antisemitic statements on the social media platform X and in his lyrics. He released a song titled “Heil Hitler” and has sold T-shirts featuring swastikas through his online shop. He has also referred to himself as a Nazi. Ye has said his statements were the result of a psychiatric disorder and brain injury.
Dutch Minister of Asylum and Migration Van den Brink said last week that there is no valid reason to deny Ye entry into the Netherlands. He emphasized that although he strongly condemns Ye’s statements, there are no indications that justify barring him. The minister added that the Dutch government is bound by the Schengen Agreement, which allows free movement of people across 29 European countries.
The cabinet said that it considers Ye’s statements undesirable and offensive but says that is not a reason to deny him access to the Netherlands.
In Arnhem, Mayor Ahmed Marcouch said the rapper’s statements are reprehensible and morally and possibly legally completely objectionable but stressed that his responsibility is to assess public order and national security. He said those conditions are, in his view, properly managed for the concerts at the Gelredome.
Authorities in several other countries have previously taken a different stance. Ye has been barred from entering France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Poland, and Italy.
