anti-Semitism
Photo: AP
Anti-Semitism on the rise in Holland
The Israel Information and Documentation Centre reports complaints rose dramatically since June
There has been a dramatic increase in anti-Semitism in Holland in recent weeks, according to a report by the Israel Information and Documentation Centre (CIDI).
The CIDI, which registers anti-Semitic activity in the Netherlands, said complaints rose dramatically after Israel invaded the Gaza Strip in June and the conflict with Lebanese group Hizbullah began last month.
CIDI spokesman Nathan Bouscher also said two of the organizers of a Jewish pro-Israel rally last week received death threats. Phone messages included comments such as “Zionism is murder” and “Death to you dirty fascists”.
Physical attacks
One of the organizers was also physically assaulted on the street, most likely by the same man who threatened the two by phone. The pair reported the threats to the Dutch police.
Commenting on the report, Hans van Baalen, MP for the Liberal VVD Party said: “It is time to act strongly against anti-Semitism. We are fooling ourselves if we think that anti-Semitism disappeared along with the Nazis.”
He deplored that the Dutch authorities “are too indifferent.”
Reprinted with permission of the European Jewish Press
