Overview
- HKW and Jan Böhmermann called off rapper Chefket’s Oct. 7 concert, citing objections particularly from Jewish voices and the anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attacks.
- Culture State Minister Wolfram Weimer publicly labeled the Palestine‑map shirt Chefket wore as antisemitic and called the planned date provocative.
- In response, nearly all other acts pulled out in solidarity — including Blumengarten, Domiziana, Mine, Wa22ermann, Drunken Masters, Tape Head and NONI — leaving the series’ music lineup effectively canceled.
- Several artists defended their withdrawals by decrying political pressure and highlighting civilian suffering in Gaza while stating opposition to antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism.
- PEN Berlin criticized Chefket’s exclusion and questioned Weimer’s intervention, as the minister remains slated to appear for a discussion at HKW next week.