Kanye West To Perform In Netherlands Despite Past Antisemitic Remarks

Popular United States rapper Kanye West has been cleared to perform two concerts in the Netherlands this June, despite previous bans on his shows in several European venues due to antisemitic comments.

The 48-year-old artist, who also goes by the name Ye, has faced global condemnation in the past for making antisemitic statements and remarks praising Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. The singer later blamed the outbursts on his bipolar disorder and has offered public apologies on several occasions.

The permit for the upcoming June show was granted by the Mayor of Arnhem. The mayor, however, acknowledged that the permission was given despite what he described as “reprehensible statements made by the artist in the past.”

The decision has triggered political debates in the country. While a majority of the members of the Dutch House of Representatives actively pushed for the rapper’s ban from entering the Netherlands, the country’s Asylum and Migration Minister stated that there were no legal grounds to block his entry.

Kanye West is scheduled to perform in Arnhem on June 6 and June 8, 2026, with the final performance coinciding with his 49th birthday.