Israel is not trying to eradicate the Muslims or Christians who live here. As an Israeli Secular Christian, I am not discriminated against in any way, other than I cannot buy bread at Jewish owned stores at Passover. Islam, however, does discriminate against non-Muslims and it often does so in aggressive and violent ways. Until Islam reforms itself, as both Judaism and Christianity have done, all Muslims must be viewed as potentially violent. And until "moderate" Muslim clerics stand up and demand that their extremist brothers quit promulgating violence against non-Muslims, the Western World must accept that Islam is violent, anti-Western, and that it does have the destruction of civilized Western societies as its ultimate goal. Let's examine the facts: 1) Islam IS the major threat to peace in the world today. This is a fact that cannot be argued or dismissed. 2) Israel is not committing genocide against its Arab citizens or against the Palestinian people. 3) The Palestinians - especially the Muslims among them - would commit genocide against the Jews, if they have half a chance. 4) Muslims in the West want to destroy Western freedoms and install Sharia law in their place. Lastly, Mr. Gerstendfeld should be ashamed of himself for his sick attempt to equal the Torah and Talmud to Mein Kampf. Certainly the Jewish Bible/Old Testament is violent, but the behavior of the Jewish people - especially those living in Israel - strongly disprove such an outrageous accusation. I suggest that Mr. Gerstenfeld come spend some quality time in Israel - and learn the facts - before making such outrageous and unsubstantiated claims.

Geert is the best thing that can happen in Holland to the Jews and Israelis. The law about the kosher meet was proposed and supported by the left wing parties. Geert never compromises by supporting Israel, he is a true friend!

I really don't understand your point of view! If a Jew living in The Nederlands feels hard times getting kosher meat, he has 2 solutions. Two easy solutions one is not to eat meat, and the other, even more logical is to come home to Israel. Today we have a state, who complains about living in the galuth has the choice!

mental leak...

If they run out of camel fodder in Djibouti it has consequences for Israel - if there's no toilet paper in a public toilet in Paris, it has consequences for Israel. Just because the world thinks that Muslims and Jews are inextricably connected, doesn't mean that everything has to have consequences for us over here in Israel.

The so called freedom party is only pro-freedom when it suits them. There major suppot to ban sjechieta in Holland reveils that this party is anti-muslim but not pro-jewish. Regards Isser

Reread the last paragraph. The author did NOT compare the Torah and Talmud to Mein Kampf. He stated that in light of the results of the Wilders case, statements like these (should they be made) cannot be LEGALLY challenged.

There is no call to make animals suffer needlessly, certainly not in the name of some archaic ritual written by a bunch of bearded zealots thousands of years ago. Being cruel to animals is a trademark of barbarity, and I seriously doubt this is what God had in mind for his chosen ones. I'm with the Freedom Party 100% on all issues, including this one.

Yes, the question of ritual slaughter is problematic. I can offer no explanation since I just don't know the details or politics involved. I would expect Wilders to make some explanation & so reserve judgement for the moment. One the other point, hate speech against Jews now legally permisible in light of Wilders aquital - howmany times in Europe did anyone go to court for it anyway. Almost never. Given the level of anti-Semitic statements, especially those disguised as anti-Zionism, in Europe, I can't see where this will change anything. So, all in all, I see Wilders as a positive development especially if he influences others all over Europe, particularly re: relations with Israel. I'll make one more point - the real question that should have been addressed by the court is if Wilders statements about Islam are TRUE. Wilders does not speak against Muslims per se - he speaks about the ideology of Islam. I think his analysis of Islam is accurate. I dare anyone to debate the subject with me.

Thanks. More Israeli non-Jews should open their mouths & tell the truth the way you did. The dummies all over the world think that Israeli Jews are tough on non-Jews, something I have almost never seen. Lost in the debate of the deaf over Israel is that there are many non-Jewish groups in Israel & while things may not be perfect, generally they have no problems here. Our problem is ONLY with those that want to destroy us. I have to correct you on one thing - Mr Gerstendfeld did not compare the Torah & Talmud to ''Mein Kampf'' but said only that others would do so.

wilders sure is smart

Sorry to disagree with Gerstenfeld, but in this case I stand with Wilders. A ban on shekhita, if it ever passes, can be overturned. But once freedoms are lost, as particularly the freedom of speech, they're hard to recover. Gerstenfeld also writes, "After the verdict in the Wilders case, ... claims that Judaism is a sick religion, cannot be legally challenged." When have they ever been? The most vile things about Jews and Israel are said in the media, on the streets, in the mosques and on university campuses. How many have been held to account for it? In Canada, hate speech legislation implemented post-Holocaust have now been used by Muslims and Islamic groups when they feel offended or insulted (as if there's a constitutional right not to be offended) yet *they* are never charged for their own hate speech.

As we all know the vein of anti semitism runs deep in Europe but what is happening with Mr Wilders and the growth of his politics must only be a good thing to redress the balance to the diabolical state Europe has got itself into with the growth of fundamentalist Islam, and it may be extreme, but sadly this is what is required. The Freedom Party has been carefully linking itself together with numerous political party's in Europe over the last few years and hopefully we will see a real political swing over the next few years. These people will need all the support we can give them.

Yes Anton Mr Wilders is smart and many more in Europe are getting smart.

There is nothing new about the antisemitic sewers opening in Dutch (and other) newspapers, blogs and talkback threads. It's been going on for years now, at the drop of a hat. This is just one more opportunity for the crazies to come out of the woodwork and spout their lies and vitriol about Israel and the Jewish people, that's all. I for one had a great day when Geert was acquitted for speaking the TRUTH about Islam which in my opinion does threaten the free world, notwithstanding the silent majority.

"However, to consider all Muslims as a global threat is an unfounded and populist generalization." That isn't what Wilders asserts. He doesn't generalize. As he has stated, "There are many moderate Muslims, but there is NO moderate Islam!"

I think you owe Mr. Gerstenfeld an apology; he did not say what you accuse him of saying - if you would take the time to read the article again you would see that your anger is uncalled for. In addition to that, Mr. Gerstenfeld lives in Israel - for over 40 years already.

While the Jews are a productive and peace-loving people - unlike the Qur'an the Torah teaches justice and righteousness - Shechita (Jewish ritual slaughter) is indeed “ritual torture.” How many Jews have watched this shocking and grusome procedure? There is nothing compassionate or humane about it. Let's be honest, Jewish and Muslim ritual slaughter, absent stunning the animal (first) is appalling. Neither do I necessarily buy this "precedent" argument the author is peddling. Maybe Jews will next because of this ruling? Maybe not. If the vast majority of bloodshed, terror and violence comes from the world of Islam, based on Islamic teachings, the Qur'an, the Hadith, the example of the prophet Muhammad, etc., why should Wilders and other anti-jihadists be prevented from saying so? Because Gerstenfeld thinks the Jews will, of necessity, be next?

14 yeah we did, israel is not to be messed :) and smart getting serious now number 16 does this all europe gettin smart thing reminds you somethin from past? all i can see here is that your hate towards muslims blinds you and make u support closest thing to hitler nowaydays sweet irony is that we all have to live with the consequencess of our choices :)

Three cheers for the Jews. What would this world be without their intelligence? Thanks to the Jews, the Europeans can stand on their own two feet, not that they do, they sit back like Lords & Ladies of the Court. I'm thinking in particular of England..... What a laughable bunch!

one of the few who stand up for what is right (pardon the pun)

i know that, and proabably a lot of people who read this do to. there has been demonisation of both israel and the jews, again long since recorded on these pages, by the BBC and such like. this has often been caused by mohammedan lobbyists, quite often funded "moderates" by respective western governments. now that the situation is truly reversed, and a gentile work colleague somewhere in the west fulminates hatred against the mohammedans for real or perceived grievances, even though i know that not all islamics are islamists etc., i keep as quiet as they did when the boot was on the other foot. someone once said that in war truth is the first casualty.

with the ban (I think we have other priorities: our economy, crime, etc), I must say that this article seems to be more about Islam than about the whole debate about ritual slaughtering. As if the debates about the two should be linked or something. I would like to see a debate on slaughtering without false emotions and with actual and accurate information. Another thing I would like to say is that rumor has it that Graus (the spokesman on this issue) is not that popular within the party for the freedom and that there are members who would vote against the ban.

Factually good until the ritual slaughtering, where facts are overstated. So a PVV person used the "Jews" as a political instrument. And really is that so? This is your opinion and I do not agree with it. The PVV is a welcome change in the corrupt politics of the Netherlands and Europe. It is a party to preserve Dutch culture and stand against Islam. Why would this party need to be a party dancing after the desires of the orthodox Jews? It happens to mostly find friends with Israelis because of their stance of sanity in this compromised world. However, that does not mean the the PVV needs to always side with the orthodox. The orthodox in Holland are hypocritical themselves in terms of food. They historically wine about wine from goyim, but often eat Hallal. Why was wine of goyim forbidden? Because it potentially could have been used in idolatry. Why then buy Hallal? What greater idol is there today than a political ideological religion that 99/100 times seeks to exterminate Jews. At the end of the day the PVV's choice may actually not be ONLY to be obstinate to Muslims and their hallal food, but also simply for the sake of the animals--who they want to die in a more worthily manner.

Because it is a western country which deserves support. Not because we are Jews. Isn't that great?

Wilders' criticism of Islam does not come out of the blue. It is based on deep study of Islam and his movie is backed up by numerous quotes directly from the Koran. Nobody denies the veracity of the quotes. More important than words; are the violent actions and support for violence by a very substantial percentage of Moslems. For instance, there are no Christian, Jewish or Hindu equivalents of Bin Laden and his followers. Like it or not, Wilders is almost 100%correct.

Islam is NOT the major threat to peace in the world. There is no doubt about it that the USA and its imperialism are the major threat to peace, freedom and democracy. Since the end of the Second World War the USA has intervened over fifty times in sovereign countries to "restore democracy". Numerous countries are still trying to recover from disaster brought over them by the USA.

Wrong! The proposed law concerning ritual slaughter is fully supported by the PVV, Wilders' Freedom Party.