Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom, blamed Muslims, calling for harsh sanctions, including the withdrawal of nationality for dual nationals. “We have become the Gaza of Europe. We saw Muslims chasing Jews in the streets of Amsterdam,” he said, demanding a merciless fight against anti-Semitism.
This position provoked strong reactions within the Dutch political class. Frans Timmermans, a figure in the Social Democratic Party, accused Wilders of “fanning the flames of hatred”, preferring the path of dialogue to repressive one-upmanship. If the political class agrees on the need to combat anti-Semitism, differences persist on the methods to be used.
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The Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, attributes these events to an “integration problem”, an analysis strongly contested by Sofyan Mbarki, a municipal councilor of Moroccan origin. “Our city has been hit by a wave of violence, racism and anti-Semitism,” he lamented, denouncing slogans inciting genocide and attacks committed by Israeli supporters. Mbarki recalled his exemplary personal journey, highlighting his contribution to Amsterdam society. “If the Prime Minister sees this as an integration problem, then I am part of this problem,” he quipped.
The Muslim Rights Monitoring Observatory in the Netherlands has announced the preparation of a report on hate speech and threats made by Israeli supporters. The organization also plans to provide legal assistance to victims and pro-Palestinian activists. The aim is to document events and counter “false narratives” that could fuel Islamophobia.
Finally, the Federation of Moroccan Associations in the Netherlands expressed its indignation at the anti-Semitic acts, reaffirming the Moroccan community’s attachment to the values of tolerance and mutual respect.
Belgium
