by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed

 




Douwe Bob sues politician Dilan Yeşilgöz for accusations of antisemitism after canceling a performance for Jewish children at an Amsterdam event.

Douwe Bob, who represented the Netherlands in Eurovision 2016, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Dilan Yeşilgöz, leader of the largest party in the Dutch parliament, following her post on X that accused him of antisemitism. As previously reported, Douwe Bob left the Netherlands with his family after receiving life threats due to uproar caused by his cancellation of a performance at an event for Jewish children.




Controversy at Amsterdam’s “Jom Ha Voetbal” Tournament

The controversy began when Douwe Bob canceled his appearance at the annual “Jom Ha Voetbal” football tournament in Amsterdam, an event for the Jewish community’s children. According to the artist, he withdrew due to the “promotion of Zionist propaganda” at the event, which he claimed was contrary to agreements with the organizers.

After the cancellation became public, Yeşilgöz posted a strong response on X, writing:

“Eighty years after ‘Never Again’—it is happening again, every day, right here in Amsterdam. Children are forced to give up a performance simply because of their identity—because they are Jewish. It does not even make the news. Antisemitism has become routine. This is pure, visible hatred.”

Legal Action and Claims of Incitement

The post sparked extensive reactions, prompting the artist to announce legal action. His attorney stated the accusations were severe, severely damaging his reputation, and that the politician’s post fueled incitement and threats against him. Douwe Bob further reported receiving death threats, with a 38-year-old arrested in Amsterdam for allegedly sending such threats against him and his family.

His representatives described the allegations as “unfounded and exaggerated,” are demanding the post be removed, and expect a public apology from the politician. “It is absurd that a court should have to intervene in such a case,” they told Dutch media. “The fact that a senior politician stands by a false tweet is incomprehensible. Such things should never become normalized.”

Outcry Within the Dutch Jewish Community

Nevertheless, for many—especially within the local Jewish community—Douwe Bob’s remarks conveyed a sense of disregard and harm. Canceling a performance at a children’s event claiming an affiliation with Zionism sends a worrying message, particularly when artists distance themselves from the Jewish community solely based on its identity.

Douwe Bob represented the Netherlands at Eurovision 2016 with the song “Slow Down” and was previously known for his liberal stance. Since then, however, he has made several controversial statements. Now he finds himself at the center of a public storm—one the nation is not ignoring.




Netherlands at Eurovision 2025

“C’est La Vie” is the title of the song performed by Claude, who represented the Netherlands at Eurovision 2025. The Netherlands qualified for the Grand Final after placing third in the first semi-final with 121 points. In the Grand Final, the Netherlands finished in 12th place with 175 points, with the jury awarding the country fifth place, but the public at home ranking it only 15th.

This year, the Netherlands participated in the Grand Final after two years of missing out. In 2023, Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper failed to qualify from the semi-final, while in 2024, Joost Klein was disqualified after the semi-final due to a violent incident involving the competition’s production team.

Eurovision 2025: This was the Netherlands’ 65th participation in Eurovision. The Netherlands joined the competition in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won it five times over the years. The Netherlands’ last victory was at Eurovision 2019 with the song “Arcade” performed by singer Duncan Laurence.