Anti-Israel Dutch Agenda Revealed by Israel Report

On By Littum

In the heart of Amsterdam’s Dam Square on May 15, 2022, an ominous scene unfolded. It was Nakba Day (marking the expulsion of Palestinians during Israel’s 1948 War of Independence) and the square was filled with Palestinian flags, anti-Israeli banners and chants.

At the center of this protest was Thomas Hofland, head of the pro-Hamas Samidoun organization in the Netherlands, along with Amin Abu-Rashid, a known Hamas operative. As speakers from the stage praised Hamas as a “legitimate resistance movement” and even justified violence against Israelis, the Jewish community in the Netherlands took note.

This meeting was not a one-off incident, but an alarming sign of how deeply anti-Israel sentiment has infiltrated Dutch society, from fringe activism to mainstream public spaces, social media and even legal channels.

Today, following fresh reports of violent attacks on Israeli fans in Amsterdam, The Jerusalem Post reveals an exclusive and highly classified report from Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, written in May 2024.

The document, obtained by The Jerusalem Post, paints a disturbing picture of rising anti-Israel sentiment and anti-Semitism in the Netherlands. This anti-Israel agenda, as detailed in the report, spans public rallies, legal and financial networks, social media influence and even instances of incitement.

Anti-Israel social media post from the Netherlands (credit: Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry)

It captures an increasingly hostile environment where anti-Israel sentiment is not just tolerated, but at times celebrated and encouraged.

The May 2022 Nakba Day protest in Dam Square was a symbol of this shift. What was once considered radical rhetoric has become normalized, not just in isolated protests, but through widespread activism that permeates Dutch society.

Since the start of the Iron Sword War on October 7, 2023, anti-Israel demonstrations in the Netherlands have escalated in intensity and hostility. Pro-Palestinian protests are no longer simply expressions of solidarity, but often call for Israel’s complete isolation and sometimes violent measures against Israelis and Jews.

The report outlines the extent of this shift and describes a coordinated campaign led by key figures who have embedded anti-Israel rhetoric in Dutch social and public discourse.

Key figures

At the center of this movement is Amin Abu-Rashid, a well-known Hamas operative whose influence extends into prominent Dutch circles. In May 2022, Dutch authorities raided Abu-Rashid’s home and uncovered €150,000 in cash and Hamas-related material, a stark reminder of his financial role in pro-Hamas activities.

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Abu-Rashid is closely associated with high-profile figures, including Gretta Duisenberg, widow of former ECB president Willem Duisenberg, who has long championed the Palestinian cause. Together they have built an influential network that allows anti-Israel sentiment to take root and spread across Dutch society.

Another key figure in this landscape is Thomas van Gool, an activist in the peace organization PAX. His presence in mainstream human rights and peace groups lends a deceptive legitimacy to his calls for a complete embargo on Israel.

In July 2023, he attended the Gaza Freedom Flotilla reception in Rotterdam, where Palestinian flags were flown in solidarity with the causes of Hamas. Events like these show his connection to pro-Hamas activism, placing him as a prominent figure in the Dutch anti-Israel sphere.

Also prominent is Thomas Hofland, who heads Samidoun, an organization linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Hofland’s defense of Hamas, which he portrays as a legitimate force of Palestinian “resistance,” has helped him gain influence, especially among younger Dutch activists.

A Samidoun stand with Palestinian flags is seen in Rotterdam, Netherlands on March 28, 2023 (Credit: VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

On May 15, 2022, he led the Nakba Day protest in Dam Square, standing with Abu-Rashid to reinforce the message that Hamas is a “legitimate resistance movement.” Hofland’s framing of extremism as activism has struck a chord with Dutch youth and further embedded anti-Israel sentiments in mainstream spaces and discussions.

Abu-Rashid, van Gool and Hofland are more than advocates; they are architects of a network designed to isolate Israel. According to the report, they organize fundraising efforts across Dutch cities, raising significant sums, ostensibly for humanitarian aid, but often directed at anti-Israel and pro-Hamas causes.

In May 2023, social activist Carolien Nieuweboer launched a campaign to raise €100,000 to fill public spaces with pro-Palestinian billboards across the Netherlands. These billboards display symbols reminiscent of the Palestinian flag and normalize anti-Israel sentiments in daily public life.

At the time of the report’s release, she had raised €83,000, illustrating strong support for these anti-Israel initiatives.

Rachid El Ghazaoui, known as “rapper Appa”, is equally influential in fueling this sentiment. His social media posts are known for their inflammatory nature. In March 2023, he called for “military intervention” and compared Israel to Nazi Germany, suggesting that the dismantling of the state was the only solution.

Appa’s rhetoric reflects a broader trend in which social media is weaponized to amplify anti-Israel sentiment, often masked under the guise of activism or free speech.

Anti-Israel agenda

Beyond public advocacy and social media, this anti-Israel agenda has taken hold through legal channels. Haroon Raza, a “March 30 Movement” lawyer, has used the Dutch legal system to target Israeli officials with lawsuits alleging war crimes and human rights abuses.

In March 2023, Raza’s organization filed a request for the arrest of Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his visit to Amsterdam, accusing him of “genocide” and “crimes against humanity”. These legal actions, while often symbolic, reveal a broader strategy to weaponize international law to isolate Israeli leaders and delegitimize the nation on a global stage.

Social media has proven to be a particularly powerful tool for these activists. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter have allowed figures like Nieuweboer and Hofland to amplify anti-Israel messages widely, often bypassing censorship with hidden symbols like the watermelon that resembles the Palestinian flag.

This tactic has embedded anti-Israel narratives in Dutch digital spaces, reaching audiences far beyond traditional activism circles and mainstreaming these views. The ministry’s report warns that without accountability, social media platforms risk becoming breeding grounds for extremism, with such narratives normalized and allowed to spread unchecked.

Dutch anti-Israel social media post (credit: Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry)

Perhaps most worrying is the muted response of the Dutch government to these activities. By portraying anti-Israel sentiments as “human rights advocates”, the authorities have allowed this movement to flourish unchecked. The ministry’s report, obtained exclusively by The Jerusalem Post, highlights how this lack of accountability has led to an atmosphere where anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric is tolerated and even normalized.

The report concludes with a stark warning: “The accumulation of activities leads to one goal – to harm the State of Israel at the international level.” Despite this clear path, the Dutch authorities appear reluctant to intervene, allowing activists to use public spaces, legal systems and social media to intensify their campaigns.

Friday’s incident in Amsterdam is a tragic consequence of allowing such hatred to go unchecked. When pro-Hamas voices dominate public discourse, legal systems are used to target Israel, and extremists are allowed to spread their narratives under the guise of free speech, hostility inevitably turns to violence.

The violence against Israeli fans was not a spontaneous outburst; it was the culmination of a society where anti-Israel sentiments have been cultivated and tolerated for years.

The Netherlands is now at a critical juncture. Will its leaders choose to defend the values ​​of tolerance and justice that the nation upholds, or will they allow anti-Israel extremism to continue to erode those principles? The writing has been on the wall and the time for decisive action is now.