Dutch Government in Turmoil After Anti-Israeli Attacks in Amsterdam – Geert Wilders Blasts Cabinet for Lack of Response – Female Junior Minister Resigns in Protest
The Dutch governing coalition is reeling from the consequences of the riot between Dutch and Israeli soccer fans that degenerated into groups of what the Politico report calls ‘locals’ – but in fact footage reveal to be Muslim migrants – chasing Jewish-looking people all over Amsterdam.
In the aftermath of the attacks, there was widespread condemnation of the perpetrators by members of the Dutch government, but none more than Geert Wilders, the leader of the largest PVV party.
Yesterday (15), a female junior minister of Moroccan descent, part of the Dutch Cabinet, resigned in protest and sent the coalition rocking.
Politico reported:
“Nora Achahbar, a state secretary in the finance ministry from the centrist New Social Contract (NSC) party, told her colleagues she was quitting over alleged racist comments made by other ministers during a cabinet meeting Monday to discuss the violence in the Dutch capital, according to Dutch broadcaster NOS. She has yet to release a public statement.
The four governing parties and Prime Minister Dick Schoof have blamed migrants, specifically Arabs and Muslims, for assaulting supporters of Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv after a Europa League match against Dutch team Ajax last Thursday night. Achahbar is of Moroccan descent.”
The Dutch coalition is formed by Wilders’ rightwing Party for Freedom (PVV), the center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB), and the NSC.
The coalition has been deeply divided over how to respond to the Amsterdam clashes, leading Wilders – who is not formally part of the government – to harshly criticize the cabinet.
“Wilders has taken to social media to demand tougher measures against antisemitism, attacking the prime minister and justice minister personally for what he viewed as their tepid response.”
At this point, the Politico report takes good care to remind us of the hooligan aspect of the riot, and also the fact that Israeli fans did tear down Palestinian flags in downtown Amsterdam.
“While PVV, VVD and BBB have all backed a plan to strip the perpetrators of the anti-Israeli violence of their Dutch citizenship, the more moderate NSC has declined to say whether it supports such a measure.”
As a result of the junior minister’s theatrics, other ministers from the NSC party, may resign.
The leaders of PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB will held crisis meetings yesterday evening at the prime minister’s residence.
“’It is entirely right that Achahbar draws a line and resigns. In this Cabinet, racist statements are the order of the day’, said Frans Timmermans, leader of the opposition Labor-Green alliance.”
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