2 arrested at Kanye's Arnhem concert; Holocaust Museum rejects possible visit by rapper
The National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam said it will not cooperate with any visit by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, while police made two arrests and removed three people carrying Holocaust conspiracy signs during the rapper’s first concert in the Netherlands since 2013 in Arnhem.
Ye performed Saturday night before 40,000 people at GelreDome. Demonstrators gathered outside the stadium with banners highlighting previous antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks by the American artist. The protest ended around 8 p.m.
Large crowds caused chaos at the stadium entrance as many fans were still outside after the concert had already started. Despite the tensions, the performance itself passed without major incidents, NOS reported.
Police arrested two men on suspicion of disturbing public order. Authorities said they were not demonstrators. Officers also removed three people carrying signs promoting conspiracy theories about the Holocaust. Police said the individuals returned after being repeatedly told to keep their distance.
Arnhem Mayor Ahmed Marcouch had invited Ye to visit the National Holocaust Museum and lay a wreath at the Names Monument with the chief rabbi, although Ye has not responded. A spokesperson for the Jewish Cultural Quarter and the National Holocaust Museum said the institution was “unpleasantly surprised” by the invitation and would not cooperate with a visit.
“This has an unwanted impact on other visitors and also raises concerns about the integrity of this place of remembrance,” the spokesperson said.
The museum said it did not want to serve as “a stage” for improving “an image damaged by antisemitic statements.” “And a visit to the museum alone is not enough to change those views. Unfortunately, more is needed,” the spokesperson added.
Ye has repeatedly made antisemitic and Nazi-praising remarks. Last year he released the song “Heil Hitler,” sold T-shirts featuring swastikas and, eight years ago, said that “400 years of slavery was a choice.”
Marcouch later softened his comments, telling ANP that he did “not necessarily” intend to visit the museum with Ye. He said there was no concrete plan and that the idea had merely “come up in discussions about what you could do.” “It is regrettable that it seems as though everything is focused on the Holocaust Museum,” Marcouch said.
Ye is scheduled to perform a second concert in Arnhem on Monday, his 49th birthday.
The Centraal Joods Overleg had sought an injunction to stop the performances, but a court ruled that Ye could not be barred from entering the Netherlands and that the concerts could proceed.
