Douwe Bob returns to the Netherlands on Saturday for a performance at the Gelderpop festival, his management confirms to NU.nl. The singer left for abroad with his family on Tuesday after receiving death threats for refusing to perform at a football event for Jewish children.
On Wednesday afternoon, a 38-year-old Amsterdammer was arrested in connection with the threats. Douwe Bob had previously filed a report against several people who threatened him. His management tells the AD that the threat has not disappeared, but that it has become quieter.
The singer revealed on Sunday evening at Renze that he had been threatened with death after refusing to perform at a Jewish children’s football event in Amsterdam. The singer said that he did so because upon arrival he was confronted with “Zionist posters and pamphlets”. “That’s why I decided to leave the event.”
Douwe Bob said that the situation was worsened by statements from others. “In the media and by politicians, the image is painted that I did not want to play for children because of their Jewish background. If I heard that about myself, I would honestly be furious too. But this is a total lie.”
The singer has mainly criticized VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz in recent days. She had accused the singer of “Jew-hatred” on X. His management had previously contacted the party leader by e-mail, requesting that she qualify her statements on social media. Yesilgöz later said that she still stood by her statements.