Netherlands: Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators Protest Opening of Holocaust Museum

Dutch king booed. 13 arrests

Today in Amsterdam, about 1,000 pro-Palestinian protesters showed up to demonstrate at the opening of the National Holocaust Museum. They were ostensibly protesting the presence of the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, at the event. Even King Willem-Alexander was booed by the mob as he arrived at the Portuguese Synagoge and as he left. Demonstrators tried to climb over police buses set up as a cordon. In all 13 persons were arrested for disturbing the peace and vandalsim.

The question begs: Had the Israeli president not been present at this event, would there still have been a protest? Maybe not, but as it was, they could have at least respected the solemnity of the event, the location, and the presence of their own king, Willem-Alexander, who is generally a well-respected figure in the Netherlands. 

The below article from Algemeen Dagblad is translated by Fousesquawk. We are working on adding English subtitles to the video in the article.

 https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/holocaustmuseum-geopend-in-grimmige-sfeer-me-moet-demonstranten-weghouden~a92eba2d/

Holocaust museum opened in grim atmosphere, (riot) police have to keep demonstrators away

Update: King Willem-Alexander was greeted with boos today upon his arrival at the Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam and at his departure. The atmosphere in the demonstration on Waterloo Square became grim. Demonstrators are angry over the presence of the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog. Thirteen demonstrators were arrested.

Domestic editorial staff, March 10. Latest update: 18:58

During the condoning off between Waterloo Square and Visserplein in Amsterdam by police, several demonstrators climbed onto the police buses that were set up as a cordon. The police beat them away with batons. Later, the activists set off fireworks. Those flew over the cordon that police put up there.

Demonstrators then threw fireworks and eggs over the police buses at the police. On the buses, the demonstrators glued pamphlets with the head of the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, with the text: “Wanted”.

Groups of demonstrators challenged each other in front of the door of the Holocaust Museum. A group of Palestinian supporters shouted slogans like, “shame on you” to a dozen pro-Israel demonstrators in an adjacent section. Who, for their part, defiantly waved Israeli flags. 

In the pro-Israel section, hangs a banner with photos of people who were abducted on October 7. The police come between both parties to calm the mood down. The atmosphere has now become grim. Police buses were shaken back and forth by demonstrators.

Around three pm, peace is restored in Amsterdam. In total, 13 demonstrators were arrested. The arrests were carried out, among other things, for disturbing public order and vandalism, such as throwing rocks and the destruction of a police bus. All suspects are still in custody and are being questioned, the police report. Among the suspects is a minor, according to a spokesperson. 

Herzog calls for the hostages to be freed

In his speech at the opening of the Holocaust Museum, Herzog called for the release of Jewish hostages being held in Gaza. He feels that the Holocaust Museum is a reminder of  “the horrors that come from anti-Semitism”. “Hate and anti-Semitism are now flourishing worldwide.” Herzog also said in his speech that “too many Dutch people” helped the Nazis, but he also spoke of the Dutch people who protected persecuted Jews.

King Willem-Alexander said in his speech at the opening of the National Holocaust Museum that “people must remain aware how the Holocaust began and how it went from bad to worse.” He described how the Sobibor Extermination Camp “began with a sign in the Vondelpark” on which (was written) “Forbidden for Jews”.

“This museum shows us how it happened, not so long ago,” said Willem-Alexander. The king presented a mezuzah to the great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivor, Rudie Cortissos. A mezuzah is a text casing with a fragment from the Torah, which according to Jewish customs, is placed on the doorpost (of a Jewish home). Upon his arrival and departure from the Holocaust Museum, the king was treated to boos.

Protesters outside could be heard clearly in the synagogue, as Willem-Alexander spoke. In the house of worship, it could be heard how the protesters were chanting. What exactly they were yelling is not clear.

Police stop demonstrators

At the opening, there is tension due to the arrival of the Israeli President, Issac Herzig. The riot police wanted to prevent the demonstrators from going from Waterloo Square to the synagogue.

About a thousand people are demonstrating on Waterloo Square against the presence of Herzog. The demonstrators yell chants like, “Free Palestine,” and “Never again is now”. Many people have Palestinian flags. A spokesperson for the Jewish organization, Erev Rav, emphasized in a speech that the museum is not being protested. “We are happy that there is a museum. But how is it possible that such a holy place as the Holocaust Museum is used to normalize genocide? We are here to say not in our name”.

On Sunday morning, a woman was arrested. According to police, she was arrested for placing stickers.

*Update: Here is the translated video from the above Algemeen Dagblad article. Hat tip to Vlad Tepes and Gates of Vienna for subtitling. Translation by Fousesquawk.