Jewish org.'s lawsuit to ban Ye from the Netherlands handled in Amsterdam court today
Today, the Amsterdam court will consider a lawsuit filed by the Central Jewish Council (CJO) against the Dutch government’s refusal to deny the American rapper Ye entry to the Netherlands due to his history of antisemitism. Ye is scheduled to perform in Arnhem this weekend. The hearing starts at 2:00 p.m.
The CJO argues that the presence of Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, constitutes a threat to public order “in light of his years of documented antisemitic statements and the current threat level to the Dutch Jewish community.”
Ye is scheduled to perform in the GelreDome on June 6 and 8. The Jewish community and several parliamentary factions have pushed for the government to deny him entry to the Netherlands due to his well-documented antisemitism. The government responded that it has no legal grounds to do so, but stressed that it will take action against the American rapper if he makes criminal statements on stage in the Netherlands.
Arnhem mayor Ahmed Marcouch has permitted the performance, also saying that he has no grounds to ban it. Marcouch said that Ye’s statements were “morally and possibly legally reprehensible,” but added that mayors cannot make decisions “based solely on personal or societal disapproval.”
Ye has made antisemitic remarks on multiple occasions, including releasing a song titled “Heil Hitler,” praising the German Nazi leader, and selling T-shirts with a swastika on them via his website.
The rapper’s concerts have been canceled in Poland and France, among other countries. The United Kingdom refused to let him into the country. He was scheduled to perform at the Wireless Festival in London, which was canceled following Ye’s entry ban.
