The Dutch House of Representatives has approved a motion to shut down mosques and institutions promoting hate speech that targets Jews or calls for the destruction of Israel. The decision, revealed on Tuesday, comes amidst growing concerns over antisemitism in the Netherlands.
The motion, titled “Closure of Salafist Mosques and Institutions Preaching the Destruction of Jews and Israel,” passed with a vote of 91 in favor and 58 against. It was spearheaded by prominent lawmakers Caroline van der Plas, Geert Wilders, and Claudia van Zanten.
The proposal cites a rise in antisemitism and its dangerous implications, including incidents described as a “Jew-hunt.” It urges the government to take decisive action against any institution advocating harm against Jewish people or Israel.
In a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Van der Plas wrote, “This marks a strong step in combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety of the Jewish community.” Wilders called the decision “historic,” while Van Zanten expressed her satisfaction, noting the importance of countering hate and violence.
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Additional Measures to Curb Antisemitism
The House also adopted several related measures aimed at bolstering the fight against antisemitism. These include:
- Adding organizations that promote the destruction of Israel and its people to the national terrorism sanctions list.
- Enforcing compliance with the Media Act for social media accounts with large followings.
- Increasing funding for Jewish memorial sites, such as the Westerbork concentration camp.
- Strengthening security measures for the Jewish community, including allocating additional police resources.
- Expanding the use of undercover investigations in encrypted platforms like Telegram.
- Fast-tracking efforts to ban groups such as Samidoun and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
- Tightening background checks for taxi drivers involved in antisemitic incidents.
In addition to these initiatives, lawmakers passed a motion to develop harsher penalties for acts of antisemitism, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to hate crimes.
Rejection of Anti-Israel Motion
However, not all motions were approved. A proposal by MP Van Baarle to ban Israeli football teams from participating in European competitions was firmly rejected by the House.
Rising Concerns Over Antisemitism
The vote follows recent violent incidents targeting Jews in Amsterdam, which have reignited discussions about antisemitism and public safety. Dutch leaders are facing increasing pressure to address hate speech and prevent further escalation of tensions.
The measures passed by the House signal a strong stance against antisemitism while reaffirming the Netherlands’ commitment to protecting its Jewish citizens and their rights.
