These writers are speaking out. ‘The Netherlands supports hallucinatory massacre in Gaza. But whoever brings it up is dismissed as an anti-Semite’ | opinion

I would like to express that I stand for humanity. For the equality of all and the dearness of all who are born. For the hope and fervent wish that everyone may experience the freedom to be with others in his/her/their own way.

To celebrate; to commemorate; to express oneself; to protest; to develop. To live. Regardless of background, origin, gender or sexuality. Regardless of faith or belief, skin color or ethnicity.

I never expected that I would have to answer for the following: I am an opponent of genocide, and therefore also of contributing to genocide by my country and government.

Misplaced use of loaded terms

I find it dangerous when the debate surrounding this contribution to genocide is nipped in the bud by the misplaced use of loaded terms, and appalling when double standards are applied so openly and openly as we see happening at the moment.

Since last autumn I have been living in a different country than before. A country whose government knowingly chooses to be complicit in a hallucinatory massacre. In Gaza, by Israel, and yet made possible by us.

A genocide that I can watch live from my living room, but which I can do very little to combat.

Spare parts for bombers

I live in a country whose government chooses to send spare bomber parts to a runaway ally and, when reversed by a court ruling, looks for ways to circumvent that ruling.

A government that does not stand in the way of that ally, but does choose to suspend food aid to Gaza and thus allow itself to be led to a calculated famine.

A government that does not seem to be affected when hospitals turn into battlefields, but which does try to hit Houthis with bombs as soon as our trade interests are at stake.

No school or lap is safe

Nine out of ten people in Gaza have now been displaced. No school or lap is safe. So many seas of suffering in people who are as human as we are.

But it doesn’t matter, I believe, because the president of Israel says, “No civilian in Gaza is innocent,” and he gave a grenade his best wishes “for its effective operation” – and the Netherlands invites this man to our new Holocaust museum to come open.

It is not his arrival that is dismissed as disturbing, but the protests against it. Protests that were non-violent and were partly initiated by the Jewish collective Erev Rav and the Jewish-Israeli organization Gate 48. Another Jewish Sound supported both demonstrations.

The word after which no one dares to speak anymore

But soon a word is attached to these protests: ‘anti-Semitic’. The word after which no one dares to speak anymore. This word is constantly attached to Israel-critical protests and expressions.

We should be concerned about Jewish citizens and their protection. That is the responsibility of all of us, just as the safety of all citizens in our country is the responsibility of all of us. Social debate provides support in this regard.

Not to separate anti-Semitism from criticism of Israel or Zionism is irresponsible, dangerous, and disrespectful. It abuses the real and horrible danger of anti-Semitism, which is still present, as a stick with which to beat down critical voices.

Rebuttal nipped in the bud

Reaction to Israel, to Zionism and to public figures who defend crimes against humanity is thus nipped in the bud. An open, spirited and honest debate about our own actions as a country in these times – about policy, about public opinion, about reporting and about the choices we make – is severely hampered. Public opinion is prevented from emancipating itself through debate.

The conversations that aren’t had are the most dangerous conversations. What is not allowed to exist does not disappear: at most it goes underground.

The great thing is: when they are had, the most dangerous conversations are also the most promising conversations. Because where the pressure is and where the fear is, there is also the opportunity for growth and development.

Embrace the discomfort

That growth and development is necessary. We can welcome them by speaking openly and embracing the discomfort that comes with it.

I know that the life of someone in Gaza is worth as much as that of someone here.
That I’m not safe if you’re not safe.
That I violate myself when I violate you.
That your happiness is also my happiness.
That’s why I listen and that’s why I speak.
That’s why I keep listening and speaking.

I ask you to do the same. Whoever you are, whatever you see and experience. Start a conversation and stay in conversation, especially when you are not sure or it is uncomfortable. Dare to speak, dare to listen and dare to change based on what you hear. Trust the humanity of the person in front of you. Don’t be silent, be present.

No one can become wise alone. Everyone is needed.

Jantine Wijnja is a discussion leader and co-founder of foundation for collective decision-making from the bottom up.

Co-signed by:

Nordin Abanaissa, journalist and translator
Henry Alles, creator and initiator of Landscape Labs
Mohamed Amezian, writer
Mohammed Benzakour, sociologist and writer
Said Bouddouft, involved in and publicist about the Moroccan community
Maurits de Bruijn, writer
Jan Flameling, philosopher
Jaap Hamburger, chairman Another Jewish Sound
Corinne Heyrman, writer, theater and audio maker
Jan Hoogland, Arabist
Azzouz Ifzaren, interpreter-translator
Karen Kamps, chairman of St. Saïd & Lody, in a personal capacity
Dolf Cow Rental, guitarist, producer
Emy Koopman, writer and journalist
Anneke Lindeman, supervisor of newcomers
Marie Meeusen, writing Jewish Belgian in the Netherlands
Milena Mulders, heritage maker
Maryam Nur, connector
Eva Prins, writing Jewish Dutchman.
Martijn de Rooi, journalist, employee of The Rights Forum
Judith Smit, founder of Neighborhood Mothers Lewenborg
Fausia Soekha, connector
Barbara Stok, comic strip maker
Abdessamad Taheri, politician, publicist
Elke Uitentuis, visual artist, human rights activist and mother
Hansko Visser, composer, writer, sometimes teacher
Marjolein Visser, writer and initiator of The Writing Workshop for Newcomers
Heidi Vogels, artist and filmmaker
Max Wieselmann, co-founder of Another Jewish Sound