Douwe Bob Walked Off Stage—And Into Antisemitism

When Dutch singer Douwe Bob refused to perform for hundreds of Jewish children at a non-political cultural event, he didn’t just cancel a show, he sent a chilling message that Jewish identity is conditional, controversial, and expendable.

The annual Jom Ha Voetbal (Football Day), held in Amsterdam, has been a celebration of youth, community, and sports for over four decades. Organized entirely by volunteers, it brings together Jewish families from across the Netherlands to play, cheer, and connect. This year, excitement filled the air, especially among the children, because Dutch artist Douwe Bob had been invited as the musical guest. Months of planning had gone into securing his appearance.

But once he took the stage, the celebration collapsed.

Instead of music, Douwe Bob grabbed the microphone and delivered an impromptu statement:

“We saw expressions on posters that made us decide not to go through with it… I love the Jewish community. I’m against Zionism, and that is what is being promoted here. That’s why I can’t play here… Sorry.”

And just like that, he walked off stage—leaving behind stunned volunteers, confused parents, and heartbroken children.

Douwe Bob may claim this was about “Zionism,” not Judaism. But that’s where the damage deepens. Because what actually happened was a very public rejection of Jewish........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)