Overview

• Speaking on stage with Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer at Berlin’s HKW, Jan Böhmermann said the concert should not have been set for Oct. 7 and that the Jewish perspective should have been considered from the outset.
• The event was canceled last week after criticism of the planned appearance, with Weimer urging the federally funded venue to act.
• Photos of Chefket wearing a shirt depicting Palestine without Israel were cited by officials as an antisemitic motif, intensifying scrutiny of the booking.
• HKW leadership defended Böhmermann’s artistic freedom even as tensions with the federal ministry grew and multiple artists withdrew from the music program.
• Chefket and his management have not responded publicly; Böhmermann’s exhibition at HKW continues through Oct. 19 with shows, TV recordings and discussions.