Jewish groups stunned by Dutch minister’s refusal to block Kanye West arrival
The Central Jewish Consultation (CJO), a Dutch Jewish advocacy group, and the Center for Information and Documentation Israel (CIDI), an Israeli and Jewish political lobby organization in the Netherlands, have sharply criticized the decision to allow American rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, to perform in Arnhem, even as officials confirm there is no legal basis to block his entry. The controversy involves two scheduled concerts at the GelreDome on June 6 and June 8.
Chanan Hertzberger, chair of the CJO, called the decision “very disappointing,” criticizing the municipality of Arnhem, the GelreDome, and the national government. “We have asked the municipality, the GelreDome, and the minister repeatedly to do something. They all respond that their hands are tied, but I find that cowardly. You could have refused him and then let him go to court to see if he could prove himself right there. At least then they would have tried something,” Hertzberger said.
He added, “Antisemites unfortunately already exist in the Netherlands in sufficient numbers; we do not need another one.”
Ye has previously described himself as an admirer of Adolf Hitler but later apologized, stating that his remarks were made due to brain damage and bipolar disorder.
The CJO is also considering possible legal steps. Naomi Mestrum, director of CIDI, said: “It is incomprehensible that the Netherlands is not able to draw a moral line on who you do and do not give a stage.”
Ye was previously targeted by members of the Tweede Kamer, who sought to bar him from entering the country. However, Minister Bart van den Brink (Asylum and Migration) said Friday morning that there are no legal grounds to deny him entry.
“We have not been able to find those,” Van den Brink said. He added that he must adhere to European agreements and therefore has no alternative but to allow Ye access to the Netherlands. Ye has had concerts canceled in several countries, including in France, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
Reporting by ANP
