Calling out Het Concertgebouw’s art-washing of genocide

IDF’s Chief Cantor Shai Abramson was invited by Stichting Chanukah Concert to lead the yearly Hannukah concert in Het Concertgebouw. After a lot of back and forth, protests and negotiations, Het Concertgebouw finally did not cancel his participation. In times where the Israeli state and its army openly commit genocide, this is unacceptable. The celebration of Hanukkah is about clinging to light in times of utter darkness. Having the highest-ranking cantor of the Israeli army to celebrate this in Amsterdam is repulsive.

Erev Rav refuses that their Jewish religion, traditions and identity are being used for the art-washing of genocide. They therefore organized a well-attended protest and alternative event in front of Het Concertgebouw. Almost 600 people showed up on the square in front of the building. Together they lit a giant menorah in solidarity with those living through the darkest times, and particularly Gazans today at the hand of the Israels genocidal war on the strip. There were various musicians, poets, journalists, and activists that came to speak and perform, both from the Palestinian and Jewish community in Amsterdam. The organization is in touch with the director of het Concertgebouw to advise them on next year’s concert and bring in independent Jewish musicians.

With this protest, they want to address the ongoing normalization of ties with Israel as a state built on ethnic cleansing and apartheid, and committing genocide in Gaza. By not cancelling the entire event but opting for a compromise, Het Concertgebouw still lends institutional legitimacy to the IDF’s operations through staging one of its visible representatives.

Erev Rav

Erev Rav is Amsterdam’s Jewish Anti-Zionist collective, dedicated to building a strong Jewish diasporic community that can feel at home wherever they live, and stands in solidarity with Palestinian self-determination. They organize regular events and campaigns all over the Netherlands, and notably the protest against Israel’s president Isaac Herzog for the opening of the Dutch National Holocaustmuseum, the adoption of the DJA definition of antisemitism by the municipality of The Hague, a definition that, contrary to the IHRA definition, allows for critique on Israel, and a teach-in calling out weaponization of antisemitism in academic institutions.

Het Actiefonds is proud to have supported this action, and will continue to stand with Erev Rav and everyone who combats the art-washing of genocide and apartheid!