Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw concert hall has cancelled this year’s Hanukkah concert after organisers refused to replace the lead singer, who is linked to the Israeli army.

The Amsterdam concert hall said the performer’s role in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conflicted with its mission “to connect people through music.”

The concert, traditionally held to mark the Jewish festival of lights, was scheduled for 14 December. The Concertgebouw said it had asked the organising body, Stichting Chanukah Concert to choose another singer, but the foundation insisted on keeping Shai Abramson, the army’s chief cantor.

Abramson, 51, retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2017 but continues to perform for the IDF. The Concertgebouw said it would be inappropriate for him to appear as a visible representative of the army, given Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The foundation argued in September that Abramson performs as an independent artist who is invited by the Israeli government for official ceremonies. The Concertgebouw disputes this, noting that Abramson publicly identifies himself as the IDF’s chief cantor, including on his own website.

Concertgebouw director Simon Reinink called the decision “extremely difficult”. “We only make exceptions to our principle of artistic freedom in very rare cases,” he said in a statement. “It is with great regret that we must do so now.”

The organising foundation said it would take legal action, claiming the venue’s decision restricts religious freedom. “The Concertgebouw is effectively asking us to replace our religious leader, which is not within its authority,” the foundation said.

It also accused the venue of deepening “the sense of isolation currently felt within the Jewish community” and of taking “an isolating and polarising step.”

Last year the Concertgebouw cancelled one of two concerts by the Jerusalem Quartet because it had been notified about demonstrations and because of “recent events” at protests in Amsterdam.