Report of anti-Semitic slogans at the opening of the Holocaust museum dismissed

NOS News•today, 5:59 PM

The Public Prosecution Service has found no evidence that anti-Semitic slogans were shouted at the opening of the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam. A complaint against demonstrators has been dropped. This means that it will not lead to criminal prosecution.

The Central Jewish Consultation had filed a report on behalf of fifteen people because anti-Semitic slogans were allegedly shouted at them at the opening on Sunday, March 10. This is said to have happened at Wertheim Park, when the group was on its way from the Jewish Museum to the Holocaust Museum. The demonstrators are said to have shouted texts such as ‘Juden raus’ and ‘Jews fuck off’.

According to the Public Prosecution Service, such slogans are punishable in any case, but no concrete suspects have emerged from the police investigation. No camera images or other recordings have been found from that location and the security of the Holocaust museum has not heard those texts either. Furthermore, no witnesses have been identified who can confirm the statements.

According to the Public Prosecution Service, no other reports of anti-Semitic slogans were made at the protest. However, the investigation will be reopened as soon as recordings or witnesses emerge who can confirm the statements.

The Central Jewish Consultation was informed today about the Public Prosecution Service’s decision. “We are very sorry that no witnesses have been found,” says chairman Chanan Hertzberger. “There were drones and cameras, but not on that corner. Maybe next time we should film ourselves. I am glad that the Public Prosecution Service investigated it and took it seriously.”

At the opening of the Holocaust museum there were demonstrations against the presence of Israeli President Herzog. Activists carried Palestinian flags and called the president’s presence unacceptable and undesirable because of his statements about the war in Gaza.

The protest caused a lot of commotion, especially because guests had to walk past shouting demonstrators. In the House of Representatives, outgoing State Secretary Van der Burg had to answer questions about the course of events. He said, among other things: “Demonstrating against a head of state of another country with whom you disagree is of course allowed. But what statements such as ‘Juden raus’ and ‘cancer Jew’ have to do with that is a mystery to me.”

Mayor Halsema stated in the week after the protest that she was surprised by “the volume and proximity” of the pro-Palestinian demonstrators. She did not consider it necessary to intervene because she did not believe the situation was unsafe. There were also no anti-Semitic slogans shouted in the direction of invited guests, she wrote to the municipal council.

There were demonstrations against Herzog’s presence in several places in the capital:

Demonstration at the opening of the Holocaust museum against the arrival of the Israeli president