Israel’s culture attacked abroad as radical activism morphs into antisemitic intimidation under European permissiveness.
Violence broke out in Amsterdam on Sunday night after pro-Palestinian Arab activists staged protests against performances by IDF Chief Cantor Shai Abramson, transforming what was billed as political dissent into open disorder.
One demonstration took place outside the Concertgebouw, where Abramson was performing. Police authorized a small protest of up to 30 participants at the venue, while a second, larger demonstration—also approved by authorities—was held nearby at Museumplein.
The unrest followed the earlier cancellation of one of Abramson’s concerts, reportedly due to opposition linked to his role as Chief Cantor of the Israel Defense Forces. Dutch media reported that hundreds of demonstrators assembled at Museumplein, displaying inflammatory anti-Israel signs and slogans. Protesters also targeted the concert hall itself, unfurling a banner accusing it of having “blood on your hands.”
As the concert proceeded, a group of agitators escalated the situation by throwing smoke grenades and breaching police barricades. Amsterdam police confirmed that several arrests were made, though officials declined to disclose the exact number or organizational affiliations of those detained.
Hanan Hertzberger, chairman of the umbrella organization representing Dutch Jewry, condemned the events as a calculated provocation against the Jewish community. “Abramson sings songs; he is not accused of crimes against humanity,” Hertzberger said. “This is simply harassment of Jews.”
The incident has renewed concerns that anti-Israel activism in Europe increasingly spills into antisemitic intimidation, with Jewish cultural figures targeted not for actions, but for identity and association.Violence broke out in Amsterdam on Sunday night after pro-Palestinian Arab activists staged protests against performances by IDF Chief Cantor Shai Abramson, transforming what was billed as political dissent into open disorder.
One demonstration took place outside the Concertgebouw, where Abramson was performing. Police authorized a small protest of up to 30 participants at the venue, while a second, larger demonstration—also approved by authorities—was held nearby at Museumplein.
The unrest followed the earlier cancellation of one of Abramson’s concerts, reportedly due to opposition linked to his role as Chief Cantor of the Israel Defense Forces. Dutch media reported that hundreds of demonstrators assembled at Museumplein, displaying inflammatory anti-Israel signs and slogans. Protesters also targeted the concert hall itself, unfurling a banner accusing it of having “blood on your hands.”
As the concert proceeded, a group of agitators escalated the situation by throwing smoke grenades and breaching police barricades. Amsterdam police confirmed that several arrests were made, though officials declined to disclose the exact number or organizational affiliations of those detained.
Hanan Hertzberger, chairman of the umbrella organization representing Dutch Jewry, condemned the events as a calculated provocation against the Jewish community. “Abramson sings songs; he is not accused of crimes against humanity,” Hertzberger said. “This is simply harassment of Jews.”
The incident has renewed concerns that anti-Israel activism in Europe increasingly spills into antisemitic intimidation, with Jewish cultural figures targeted not for actions, but for identity and association.
