Amsterdam residents who are considering going to the National Remembrance Day on Dam Square are concerned about disruptions. There is also a group that does not go to Dam Square because of this, although they might otherwise have done so. This is evident from a survey among the members of the AT5 panel, in which more than 2,300 Amsterdam residents participated. A narrow majority considers attention to Gaza inappropriate.
There are additional tensions around the two minutes of silence on May 4 this year, mainly due to the war between Israel and Hamas. The National Committee for 4 and 5 May and the Amsterdam security triangle (mayor, police and justice) have therefore announced additional security measures surrounding the commemoration on Dam Square. For example, registration is mandatory, everyone is searched, only 10,000 people are welcome and there is a ban on flags, signs and sound-amplifying devices.
We asked the members of the AT5 panel what they think of these measures. A large majority (83%) understands this. “Very sensible given the conflicts,” is the majority of the responses. “Better to be safe and get through it than for something to happen,” said another.
Despite all these measures, panel members who say they want to attend the National Commemoration indicate that they are concerned about safety and possible disruptions. Of the 159 panel members who say they plan to go to Dam Square, 60 percent are concerned.
“I have also experienced the Dam shouter, I find it exciting again,” said one of them. “All it takes is one idiot to disrupt things and there’s a big problem,” said another panelist. But more than a third of people who say they are going are less concerned. “There is a safety policy and I will not be held back.”
There is also a group of panel members who would actually like to go to Dam Square, but are not going now; This is the case with almost 500 panel members. “I’m afraid of riots,” said one of the responses. “I don’t like the tense situation and fewer people are allowed onto Dam Square and searched. Then it is no longer necessary for me,” says another panel member.
Attention for Gaza?
There is a lot of discussion about whether the commemorations on May 4 can also focus on the situation in the Middle East. For example, at some commemorations in the city it has been announced that attention will also be paid to the war in Gaza, and the Amsterdam chairman of the May 4 and 5 committee Andrée van Es also showed that he understands if attention is paid to it. There was sharp criticism from the Central Jewish Consultation: they called the statements ‘inappropriate and unacceptable’.
The AT5 panel is also divided about it, although most (54%) believe that the war in Gaza should not receive attention at the commemorations; 39% do understand it. For example, one of the panel members says: “Attention should be drawn to Gaza. Never again is now.” Another proponent agrees: “One of the purposes of commemoration is to ensure that we continue to learn from it to prevent it from happening again.”
But opponents think the moment is inappropriate. “Attention to Gaza is necessary, but can be done on the other 364 days of the year,” it is said. Or more strongly: “It is our Dutch commemoration. No understanding. I find it indecent.”
Would you also like to think about these types of topics in the city? Then register here with the AT5 panel. More than 5,000 Amsterdam residents are currently members of the AT5 panel.
