Separate ‘Catshuis session’ with schools and police about combating hatred of Jews

NOS News•today, 9:44 PM•Amended today, 10:31 PM

The cabinet is prepared to organize a session with Jewish and all kinds of other organizations to discuss increasing anti-Semitism in the Netherlands. Outgoing Minister of Justice and Security Yesilgöz supports the House of Representatives’ proposal to invite various organizations to the Catshuis, such as universities, educational umbrella organizations, police, sports representatives, local authorities, social media companies, transporters, retail and the cultural sector.

All parties except Forum for Democracy support a proposal from the Christian Union to organize such a special meeting. “It is unacceptable that the Jewish community in our country is so existentially threatened,” said CU leader Bikker in the parliamentary debate on anti-Semitism.

Yesilgöz said she would “love to do” such a meeting, but she tempered expectations. The House wants the organizations to be held accountable for their responsibilities and for measures to be taken. The minister believes it is good that the government and all kinds of groups are being brought together. “But we should not expect that simple and comprehensive agreements can be made.”

In the debate, the House unanimously expressed concerns about increasing anti-Semitism in the Netherlands. This concerns, for example, defacing synagogues and disrupting cultural performances, as happened to Lenny Kuhr. Many MPs are also shocked by reports that Jewish children no longer dare to go on the street or travel with a yarmulke. “Unacceptable” is the widely shared view.

It is not the first time that the House has expressed concerns about anti-Semitism in the Netherlands. At the end of last month, thirteen of the fifteen factions drew up a statement to “stand up” against hatred of Jews.

Outgoing Prime Minister Rutte said a few days later that things were going “really in the wrong direction” in the Netherlands. “I am very concerned that people with a Jewish background are currently being harassed because of that background and because of the situation in Israel,” Rutte said.

Minister Yesigöz also said in the debate that the cabinet is using as many legal measures as possible to combat hatred of Jews in the Netherlands.