Netherlands Unveils Comprehensive National Plan to Combat Anti-Semitism

Netherlands Unveils Comprehensive National Plan to Combat Anti-Semitism

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In its relentless pursuit of a “Netherlands without anti-Semitism,” the Dutch government has introduced a comprehensive five-year national strategy aimed at eradicating anti-Semitism within its borders. The strategy, which emphasizes a multi-year approach, underscores the critical need for a united societal effort to combat this deeply entrenched issue. According to a recently published report in The Jerusalem Post, this ambitious plan is being coordinated by the Ministry of Justice and Security, with the National Coordinator for Combating Anti-Semitism Unit playing a pivotal advisory and implementation role. The cabinet has committed to annual reviews of the strategy’s efficacy, ensuring adaptability and the potential for enhanced measures as necessary.

The report in The Jerusalem Post highlighted the Dutch government’s statement which emphasized the collective responsibility of all citizens in addressing anti-Semitism and ensuring the security of Jewish individuals. “With the current strategy, the government makes it clear that the fight against anti-Semitism concerns all Dutch people,” the statement declares. The government’s vision for the Netherlands as an “open, reasonable, and tolerant society” positions Jewish life as an integral and celebrated part of the national identity. To support this endeavor, the government has allocated €4.5 million, signaling a substantial commitment to the initiative.

Amsterdam:

A Jew is thrown in the river and islamic thugs tell him he can’t get out until he shouts “Free Palestine”

If he couldn’t swim, he would have drowned. pic.twitter.com/zwjq9TJDIQ

— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) November 8, 2024

The urgency of this strategy is evident in the cabinet’s acknowledgment of the Dutch Jewish community’s precarious circumstances. As per the information provided in The Jerusalem Post report, the community—numbering approximately 50,000 individuals, or 0.3% of the total population—“lives in great insecurity” and experiences limitations on their freedom. This grim reality necessitates immediate and sustained action, prompting the establishment of a dedicated task force under the Justice and Security Ministry’s leadership. The task force will remain operational for at least a year, focusing on critical areas such as combating anti-Semitism in universities and barring anti-Semitic speakers from educational institutions.

The task force is a collaborative effort, comprising representatives from various ministries, local governments, educational institutions, sports organizations, cultural entities, public transportation sectors, and other societal stakeholders. As reported by The Jerusalem Post, representatives from the Jewish community will also play an essential role in this initiative, ensuring that the community’s unique perspectives and needs are adequately addressed.

The strategy itself is anchored on three foundational pillars: “protect, monitor, and follow-up;” “education and prevention;” and “commemoration and celebration.” The Jerusalem Post report elaborated that the first pillar focuses on safeguarding Jewish institutions, holding perpetrators accountable, and providing robust support for victims. This approach is intended to establish a secure environment for Jewish communities while ensuring that acts of anti-Semitism face unequivocal repercussions.

Horrifying scenes in Amsterdam of attempted lynching of Jews by terror supporters. Amsterdam, where are your police?! Jews were beaten by mobs of Arabs and some even jumped into the canals to get away from violent mobs.

Shameful, unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/lr7m4rf8bm

— Emily Schrader – אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) November 8, 2024

Education and prevention form the second pillar, which aims to dismantle the underlying breeding grounds of anti-Semitism. According to the information contained in The Jerusalem Post report, this includes initiatives to combat anti-Semitism in sports, a sector often overlooked in discussions about prejudice and discrimination. By addressing these root causes, the government seeks to foster a more inclusive and respectful societal framework.

The third pillar, commemoration and celebration, seeks to honor and preserve Jewish heritage in the Netherlands. Indicated in The Jerusalem Post report was that this involves promoting awareness of Jewish history and culture while celebrating the contributions of Jewish life to Dutch society. Through these efforts, the government aims to ensure that Jewish memory remains a vibrant and integral part of the national narrative.

One of the cornerstone issues addressed in the strategy is the significant underreporting of anti-Semitic incidents. According to The Jerusalem Post report, a 2018 EU report revealed that 74% of Dutch Jews who experience anti-Semitism do not report the incidents to anyone, with the rate only slightly better (52%) in cases of violent anti-Semitism. This widespread reluctance to report highlights a systemic problem, one that the government aims to tackle by fostering an environment where victims feel confident that their reports will lead to meaningful action.

“By reporting incidents as standard, more incidents can be followed up, but there is also better insight into where anti-Semitism occurs and where it comes from,” the strategy states, according to The Jerusalem Post report. To support this effort, the government plans to set up a “Safety Fund,” which will provide financial assistance to Jewish institutions for their security systems. This initiative seeks to alleviate the disproportionate financial burden these institutions currently face in safeguarding their communities.

Een Israëlische Joodse vrouw legt uit wat er gebeurde toen zij en haar vrienden gisteravond in #Amsterdam werden overvallen door hordes moslimterroristen:

“We vroegen de politie om hulp. Ze zeiden dat ze niets konden doen. We waren hulpeloos.”

👇 pic.twitter.com/0Kv76R4w6q

— Darya – Daughter Of Cyrus (@D62Darya) November 8, 2024

In their extensive report, The Jerusalem Post further detailed that the government is revising the existing reporting mechanisms involving municipal anti-discrimination facilities (ADVs). These updates aim to ensure that victims of anti-Semitism can report incidents with greater confidence and ease. Recognizing that many victims currently turn to the Center for Information and Documentation Israel (CIDI) rather than local centers, the strategy includes a plan to liaise with CIDI and establish robust protocols for sharing information, thereby streamlining the reporting process and enhancing data collection.

Another critical element of this pillar is the provision of aftercare for victims. The report in The Jerusalem Post noted that the government has allocated a specific budget for this purpose, underlining its commitment to addressing the psychological and social impacts of anti-Semitic incidents. Additionally, the justice minister has called for an official investigation into the “bottlenecks” that victims encounter when reporting anti-Semitism. Scheduled to begin in 2025, the objective of this investigation is to identify obstacles and use the findings to inform new, more effective measures.

Legislative action also features prominently in the strategy. The Jerusalem Post also reported that the cabinet has proposed a bill to increase the maximum prison sentence for anti-Semitic offenses by one-third. This measure calls attention to the government’s commitment to imposing harsher penalties on those who perpetrate hate crimes, signaling a strong deterrent to potential offenders.

🚨 BREAKING: The Islamists who were behind the Amsterdam pogrom where they hunted down Jews, are out on the streets rioting again tonight.

They’re blocking streets in Amsterdam, smashing windows, and shouting: “Cancer Jews.”

The Netherlands is finished. Europe is done. pic.twitter.com/VZ5XwkvPW1

— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) November 11, 2024

Addressing the growing prevalence of online anti-Semitism, the task force will conduct an annual study into anti-Semitic content on Dutch-language platforms. As detailed in The Jerusalem Post report, this initiative is part of a broader effort to gain deeper insights into the nature and scale of digital anti-Semitism, enabling the government to adapt its policies to the evolving landscape of hate speech.

In a robust push against rising anti-Semitism, European nations are spearheading legal, educational, and digital initiatives, as detailed by The Jerusalem Post. Public prosecutors from 15 European countries convened recently to share insights on addressing anti-Semitism within their criminal justice systems. This meeting, described by The Jerusalem Post as “successful,” highlighted the increasing importance of international collaboration in combating hate speech and discrimination.

As reported by The Jerusalem Post, the Netherlands enacted a new law on October 1 criminalizing all forms of Holocaust denial. This move reflects a growing recognition of the need to counteract denialism and misinformation, aligning with broader European efforts to address historical distortion.

Education emerges as a cornerstone in the fight against anti-Semitism, according to The Jerusalem Post. A key focus of the second pillar in Europe’s strategy is addressing the “breeding grounds” of anti-Semitism, particularly conspiracy theories and online hate speech. A 2022 study cited by The Jerusalem Post revealed that out of 200,395 instances of online anti-Semitism, over 11% explicitly targeted Judaism. Tackling this surge requires fostering awareness and understanding through education.

In the Netherlands, this educational focus manifests through initiatives such as enhanced citizenship education, which plays a pivotal role in addressing anti-Semitism and broader discrimination. The Jerusalem Post report highlighted the Dutch government’s acknowledgment of the alarming decline in Holocaust awareness among its population, prompting a four-year educational scheme to reinvigorate Holocaust education and share forgotten stories of World War II. Starting in January, the “Learn about the Holocaust” campaign will lay the groundwork for these efforts.

In addition to school-based initiatives, new measures will require immigrants to demonstrate knowledge of the Holocaust and answer questions about anti-Semitism to pass integration exams beginning July 1, 2025, according to The Jerusalem Post. These policies aim to ensure that newcomers are equipped with an understanding of historical and cultural contexts, reinforcing societal commitments to combating hate.

The plan also includes a National Plan for Strengthening Holocaust Education, with progress updates scheduled for the Dutch House of Representatives in fall 2025. As reported by The Jerusalem Post, this holistic approach reflects a commitment to rooting out anti-Semitism through both systemic education and individual accountability.

Digital platforms are another critical battleground, with the European Union leveraging the Digital Services Act (DSA) to combat online anti-Semitism. As noted by The Jerusalem Post, the DSA mandates that platforms promptly evaluate and act upon reports of illegal content or face significant fines—up to 6% of their global turnover. This act enhances transparency by requiring platforms to submit moderation decisions to the European Commission for inclusion in the DSA Transparency Database.

Further bolstering these efforts, the Netherlands’ National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security, in collaboration with law enforcement, has developed a “symbol bank” to aid professionals in identifying and responding to extremist and anti-Semitic symbols. This initiative ensures that professionals across sectors are equipped to recognize and address hate symbols effectively.

In a novel initiative supported by the Anne Frank Foundation, the KNVB’s “Chanting Project” seeks to educate fans on the harmful impacts of anti-Semitic chants. As noted in The Jerusalem Post report, fans found guilty of engaging in such behavior may be required to participate in this program, which focuses on fostering awareness among supporters. This educational approach complements the broader strategy’s emphasis on reducing the spread of hate through proactive measures.

The third pillar of the strategy focuses on commemoration and celebration, emphasizing the Netherlands’ responsibility to preserve its Jewish heritage. As The Jerusalem Post report highlighted, the Dutch government acknowledges its “special historical responsibility” stemming from its role in World War II. This responsibility includes safeguarding tangible and intangible aspects of Jewish history and ensuring they are passed on to future generations.

To promote Holocaust education and awareness, January will now be designated as Holocaust Education Month. According to The Jerusalem Post, this initiative aims to spotlight the importance of Holocaust education and enhance access to relevant materials and activities, particularly in schools. Additionally, April 25 has been declared the National Day Against Anti-Semitism, a move intended to unify Dutch society in its commitment to combating discrimination.

In a broader effort to respect and celebrate Jewish life, the Dutch government has urged institutions and businesses to consider Jewish and Islamic holidays, the Sabbath, and dietary restrictions. The Jerusalem Post report noted that this aligns with existing practices surrounding other holidays and aims to create a more inclusive environment for religious observance.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science has also made significant strides in preserving Jewish heritage. As reported by The Jerusalem Post, the ministry provides structural subsidies under the Heritage Act to the Jewish Cultural Quarter for public activities and the management of the Jewish Museum’s collection. Furthermore, an additional 80 former synagogues and 71 Jewish cemeteries have been designated as national monuments, offering their owners access to financial support for maintenance and ensuring their protection for future generations.

The Public Prosecution Service also registered a significant increase in anti-Semitic offenses, with 181 cases recorded in 2023 compared to 94 in 2022. This alarming rise speaks volumes about a deepening issue that demands immediate attention, as detailed by The Jerusalem Post.

While Dutch government agencies do not publicly categorize perpetrator groups in anti-Semitic incidents, the most recent Terrorism Threat Assessment in the Netherlands identifies anti-Semitism within left-wing extremism, jihadism, and right-wing extremism. As reported by The Jerusalem Post, these findings reveal that anti-Semitism transcends political and ideological divides, manifesting in various forms across the spectrum of extremism.

The report further highlights the impact of international events, noting that the conflict in Gaza has “lowered the threshold for radical Islamic individuals who do not adhere to jihadist ideology” to justify attacks on Jewish or Israeli individuals and institutions. This correlation between geopolitical conflict and domestic anti-Semitic acts adds a complex dimension to the issue, as explained by The Jerusalem Post.

A striking finding, highlighted by The Jerusalem Post, is the prevalence of anti-Semitism within the context of soccer. A Panteia research study, commissioned by the Anne Frank Foundation, found that soccer is the most common setting where students insult Jews. These insults often spill over into schools, perpetuating anti-Semitic attitudes among younger generations.

The study also revealed demographic patterns in anti-Semitic expressions. Insults tied to the Middle East conflict predominantly originate from Dutch-Moroccan or Dutch-Turkish students, who were found to hold more negative attitudes toward Jews than their peers of Dutch, Surinamese, or Caribbean Dutch descent. This differentiation underscores the influence of cultural and political contexts on anti-Semitic attitudes, as noted in the report.

The findings detailed by The Jerusalem Post paint a concerning picture of rising anti-Semitism in the Netherlands, driven by a lethal combination of extremist ideologies, geopolitical tensions, and cultural influences. The increase in both reported incidents and violent offenses shines a spotlight on the urgency of addressing this issue through targeted education, stricter enforcement of hate crime laws, and community outreach.

The government’s recognition of these diverse sources of anti-Semitism provides a foundation for comprehensive interventions. However, as The Jerusalem Post report emphasized, the complexity of the issue requires nuanced solutions that account for its multifaceted origins, from soccer culture to global conflicts.