Credit: Kim Erlandsen, NRK P3
The community has asked the Faro and Loulé City Councils and the Government not to grant any public support to the show, which takes place in the Algarve on August 7th.
The Jewish Community of Lisbon (CIL) opposed the scheduled Kanye West concert in the Algarve, mainly because the organization has access to public support and space to hold the show.
The CIL has even sent a request to the Faro and Loulé City Councils and even to the Government itself to not grant any support to the show, which will take place at the Algarve stadium on August 7th.
David Botelho, president of the CIL, believes that the State is "normalizing" the granting of support "to initiatives and individuals with anti-Semitic speeches and attitudes".
Speaking to the Lusa news agency, David Botelho said he considers it "shocking" that resources are being mobilized for the event, arguing that it "not only allows the performance of a known anti-Semite in Portugal, but also in a public facility that belongs to everyone". In the same interview, the president of the CIL considered the situation an "unacceptable normalization of something that cannot be normalized, namely hate speech."
So far, the Jewish Community of Lisbon has not yet received a response from the targeted local authorities.
Show in Portugal goes ahead despite controversy
The American rapper, who also goes by the stage name Ye, has seen his European tour in trouble, with several shows canceled, particularly in countries where concerns about antisemitic attacks are growing.
Countries such as France, Poland, and Switzerland have opposed the artist's shows, and the United Kingdom has even refused him an entry visa.
At the heart of the controversy is the American musician's history marked by numerous antisemitic and racist comments, which have caused him to lose shows, advertising contracts, and fans.
Portugal is one of the countries included in Kanye West's European tour, but for now, the event is not threatened, and the Government admits it will only take measures if there is a risk.
"There were countries that clearly said: this gentleman will not enter," David Botelho explained to Lusa, reinforcing that the community does not intend such a drastic action, even though, according to them, it could be justified.
"The signs of antisemitism, hate speech directed at Jews, Holocaust denial, and public praise of Hitler and Nazism on the part of the individual in question are notorious," David Botelho told the Portuguese news agency.
Source: Euro News
