Amsterdam club cancels Israeli comedian’s show after antisemitic threats
Yohay Sponder’s Jan. 25 performance moved to new location, which will only be revealed to ticket holders on the day
An Israeli comedian’s show in Amsterdam has been moved to a new location after the owner of the original venue canceled the show due to antisemitic threats.
Yohay Sponder, a veteran of more than 12 years on Israel’s standup scene, had been scheduled to perform at the Boom Chicago club in the Dutch capital on January 25 as part of the European tour for his English-language show, “Self-Loving Jew.” But the club’s director Andrew Moskos informed Yohay’s wife and booking manager Kayla Sponder on Friday that the show would not be able to go on due to antisemitic threats.
Since October 7, 2023, many Jewish and Israeli performers have found their events canceled by venues concerned about violent anti-Israel protesters, often at the last minute. Last month, a concert by American Hasidic singer Benny Friedman in London was canceled and moved due to similar threats.
Antisemitic incidents in Amsterdam have spiked since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200, taking 251 hostages and sparking the war in Gaza. In November last year, coordinated attacks against Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam sparked furious reactions around the world.
“About two weeks ago, I got a phone call from one of the club’s employees letting me know that someone had come into the club saying things like ‘How dare you let that Jew perform here,'” recalled Kayla Sponder. “She was very nice about it, and we agreed that we would pay for extra security out of our pockets and work together to notify the police. They assured me that we were moving full speed ahead.”
The next week, Boom Chicago informed Sponder about a protest being organized outside the club. Several anti-Israel groups had posted on Instagram calling for followers to harass Boom Chicago to cancel the show of the ‘ultra-Zionist’ comedian. Nonetheless, the club confirmed that the show was still on.
“But then, on Friday morning, I got an email from the club’s owner,” she said. “He said that, while he values freedom of expression, due to the current climate and security concerns, he had to cancel the show.”
Sponder said Moskos apologized and offered to help her find a new venue in a “Jewish location.” The show has since been relocated to a new spot. The name of the venue will only be revealed to ticket holders on the day of the show, she said.
Nevertheless, Sponder is disappointed. “He caved to the bullies,” she said. A police spokesperson later told her that they were never informed about the show and had no intelligence about any security concerns, she added.
Boom Chicago did not respond to an inquiry from The Times of Israel as of Sunday evening. Moskos has confirmed the story in the Dutch press.
In addition to Amsterdam, Sponder plans to perform in London, Berlin, Brussels, Frankfurt and Paris during January and February. A US tour is planned for May, Kayla Sponder said.
Last month, Sponder appeared on The Times of Israel’s What Matters Now podcast with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan, telling a story about a performance in the US in which a group of pro-Palestine activists showed up. The result was not what he expected.