May 29, 2026, 1:02 p.mMay 29, 2026, 1:02 p.m
Despite violent protests, US rapper Kanye West, who was controversial because of anti-Semitic statements, was allowed to perform as planned in Arnhem, the Netherlands, at the beginning of June.
US rapper Kanye West is allowed to perform in the Netherlands.Image: keystone
There is no legal reason to deny him entry, said the responsible minister for asylum and migration, Bart van den Brink, in The Hague. Parliament voted in favor of it with a large majority. Jewish organizations had called for a ban on performances.
The minister condemned the anti-Semitic statements made by West, who now goes by the name Ye. However, statements from the past are not legally a reason to ban him from entering the country. Appearances in other countries had previously been banned or canceled.
The city of Arnhem on the border with Germany granted permission for the 48-year-old rapper’s concerts on June 6th and 8th. The mayor said the city can only revoke a permit if there is a risk to public safety.
Jewish community outraged
Jewish organizations reacted with outrage. “It is incomprehensible that the Netherlands is unable to draw a moral line between who is given a platform and who is not,” said the director of the Information and Documentation Center on Israel CIDI, Naomi Mestrum.
Great Britain had previously refused entry to the musician. In Poland, a planned concert was canceled by the organizers. West canceled an appearance in France because of an impending ban.
T-shirt with swastikas
The rapper had made anti-Semitic statements several times, released a song called “Heil Hitler” and sold T-shirts with swastikas. After protests, he apologized for parts of his statements and explained his behavior as a result of a mental disorder. (dab/sda/dpa)