By Matt Underwood The cancellation of Israeli comedian Yohay Sponder’s Amsterdam show highlights a disturbing rise in antisemitic threats and actions in the Netherlands. Sponder, a veteran of Israel’s stand-up scene, was scheduled to perform his English-language show, “Self-Loving Jew,” at the Boom Chicago club. However, the show was canceled due to antisemitic threats made against the club and the comedian himself.
This incident isn’t isolated. A noticeable increase in antisemitic incidents across Amsterdam has been observed since the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel. Jewish and Israeli performers have faced similar cancellations, with a London concert by American Hasidic singer Benny Friedman also being moved due to threats. These events highlight a concerning trend of venues succumbing to intimidation and prioritizing perceived safety over freedom of expression.
Kayla Sponder, Yohay’s wife and booking manager, received a phone call from a Boom Chicago employee alerting her to the threats. Initially, the club expressed a willingness to cooperate, promising extra security and police notification, suggesting a potential path forward. The club appeared to be willing to handle the situation and ensure the show could go ahead.
However, this initial willingness shifted drastically. A subsequent email from the club owner announced the show’s cancellation. While acknowledging the importance of free speech, the owner cited the current climate and security concerns as the reasoning behind the decision. This shift is disheartening, as it demonstrates the power of intimidation tactics in silencing voices and suppressing artistic expression.
Although the club owner offered to assist in finding an alternative venue in a “Jewish location,” the decision to cancel the show itself underscores a problematic aspect: the responsibility for addressing antisemitic threats is shifted onto the victim, effectively forcing the comedian to limit his performances to spaces perceived as “safe.” This tacitly accepts the legitimacy of the threats as a determining factor in public events. The new, undisclosed venue will only be revealed to ticket holders on the day of the show for security reasons.
The incident sparked a wave of online comments, revealing a range of opinions and perspectives. Some highlighted the hypocrisy of tolerating intolerance and questioned the lack of consequences for those making the threats. Others pointed out the broader societal issue of rising antisemitism, particularly the alarming surge following the October 7th attacks.
Concerns were also raised about the effectiveness of the Dutch police in addressing these threats, with some suggesting a lack of sufficient response and protection. This lack of proactive intervention could embolden those who would resort to intimidation tactics to silence dissenting voices.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the enduring challenge of antisemitism, even in seemingly tolerant societies like the Netherlands. The cancellation, while seemingly a practical response to threats, ultimately validates the underlying antisemitic sentiment and contributes to a chilling effect on free expression. The relocation to a yet-to-be-disclosed “Jewish location” further highlights the unfortunate reality that such events are now deemed necessary for ensuring the safety of Jewish artists.
The controversy highlights a complex interaction between security concerns, free speech, and the broader issue of rising antisemitism. While prioritizing the safety of performers and audiences is crucial, it is equally important to ensure that these legitimate concerns do not pave the way for self-censorship and the suppression of artistic expression and freedom of speech. The incident underscores the need for a more proactive approach to tackling antisemitism, including effective law enforcement, community engagement, and a strong commitment to upholding the principles of tolerance and freedom of expression. The ease with which the threats caused a cancellation raises significant concerns about the future of public events involving individuals from marginalized communities.