Famed Amsterdam concert hall cancels Hanukkah concert over participation by Israeli army official

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw has canceled its annual concert for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, citing objections to the participation of an official from the Israeli army, Anadolu has learned.

In a statement released Sunday, the famous concert venue said it ended its agreement with the Hanukkah Concert Foundation after repeated discussions failed to reach a compromise on replacing Shai Abramson, the army’s chief cantor (prayer/music leader), who was scheduled to perform at the Dec. 14 event.

In a statement, Concertgebouw General Director Simon Reinink said Abramson’s participation “is diametrically opposed to our mission: connecting people through music.”

“Only in very exceptional circumstances do we make an exception to our important principle of artistic freedom. It is with great sadness that such an exception has now arisen,” he said.

The Concertgebouw said Abramson’s role as a visible representative of the Israeli military was incompatible with its values, especially while the Israeli army is “actively involved in a controversial war.”

Abramson holds a ceremonial and religious position within the Israeli military, offering prayers and leading services at official ceremonies and memorials.

Talks between the Concertgebouw and the Hanukkah Concert Foundation reportedly began over the summer to resolve the issue, but the foundation insisted on including Abramson in the program, prompting the venue to cancel the agreement.

Despite the decision, the Concertgebouw expressed its ongoing support for the Jewish community, saying it “will always remain a place where the Jewish community is welcome,” particularly at a time of rising antisemitism.