“We Failed Against the Jews During the Holocaust, And Last Night We Failed Again,” Declares the King of the Netherlands

Dutch King Willem-Alexander spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday and strongly condemned the attacks on Israeli tourists in Amsterdam. He compared these events with the Netherlands' failure to protect Jews during the Holocaust.

“We failed the Jewish community during World War II, and last night we failed again,” the king told the president. He expressed his deep disgust and promised that his government would do everything possible to ensure the safety of visitors and repatriate them safely to Israel.

The president stressed that the events of that night are reminiscent of dark times experienced by Jews and must be unequivocally condemned. He also demanded that measures be taken on the streets of Amsterdam to stem this wave of terrible anti-Semitic hatred, and that all Israelis wishing to return be repatriated as soon as possible.

Earlier, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof informed Herzog of all measures taken, strongly condemned the events and pledged to the president that his government would do everything possible to ensure the safety of Israelis and guarantee their safe return.