Hip-hop artist Kanye West is allowed to stay in the Netherlands. The preliminary relief judge of the court in Amsterdam sees no concrete indications that his presence poses a risk to public order. West will perform this Saturday and Monday in the GelreDome in Arnhem.
The Central Jewish Consultation (CJO) filed summary proceedings because of West’s anti-Semitic statements. Initially, she wanted to prevent his access to the country through the courts. On Wednesday, West’s lawyer announced that he was already in the Netherlands and that CJO hoped to enforce his deportation through the courts.
West, who now calls himself Ye, released a song titled, among other things, in 2025 Hail Hitler. He also sold clothing with a swastika print in his webshop. West apologized and said his comments were a result of his bipolar disorder.
No concrete danger
According to the CJO, West’s presence legitimizes and normalizes anti-Semitism. However, according to the judge, this is an “abstract” danger to public order. The court points out that West has not been anti-Semitic for a year now and that previous performances on this tour took place without anti-Semitic incidents.
Last week, the mayor of Arnhem, Ahmed Marcouch, announced that the municipality had granted an event permit for his concerts. He called West’s statements “reprehensible” but, according to him, cancellation was not possible on the basis of “personal or social disapproval.”
If West expresses criminal conduct during his performance, then, according to Marcouch, it is up to the Public Prosecution Service (OM) to initiate criminal proceedings.
In France and the United Kingdom, among others, the authorities did cancel West’s performances. A large majority of the House of Representatives also wanted the cabinet to make efforts to keep West out of the Netherlands.