Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Amsterdam on Sunday to unveil the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam in a ceremony attended by Dutch Willem-Alexander and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Riot police had to be called in to stop more than 2,000 anti-Israel demonstrators from marching through Amsterdam’s Portuguese Synagogue during the opening of the new National Holocaust Museum.
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MARCH 10: People stage a pro-Palestinian demonstration during the opening ceremony of the Holocaust Museum on March 10, 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. (Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu, Getty Images)
Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and held placards condemning Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza, Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported, adding that the demonstrators had been accused of war crimes by Israeli President Herzog at the International Criminal Court (International Criminal Court). He asked for a trial at the ICC. Clashes with police were also witnessed, with some activists seen climbing on top of police vehicles.
Polity can embrace political activity in Waterloo Square. #HolocaustMuseum pic.twitter.com/qxDCLrpr97
— Marcel Vink (@marcelvink888) March 10, 2024
According to newspaper De Telegraaf, activists shot fireworks and threw eggs at police. Herzog was also seen placing a sticker on a police van with the word “Wanted” written on his face.
King Willem-Alexander, speaking at the opening ceremony in the synagogue, was booed as he officially opened the museum building.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands speaks at the opening ceremony of the National Holocaust Museum at the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, March 10, 2024 (Photo by Bart Maat/ANP/AFP)/Netherlands OUT (Photo by BART MAAT) /ANP/AFP (via Getty Images)
President Herzog used the occasion to reiterate his call on Hamas in the Gaza Strip to release the hostages taken from Israel in the October 7 terrorist attack by the Palestinian jihadist group.
“Let’s pray for the release of the hostages in this house of prayer” Herzog Said.
Sommige Demonstranten richten hun woede op politiebusjes #HolocaustMuseum pic.twitter.com/lMy3fJIriA
— Marcel Vink (@marcelvink888) March 10, 2024
In his speech, the Israeli president cited World War II and said that too many people in the Netherlands stood by and watched Jews being rounded up for extermination. But Herzog also praised the courage of those who resisted the Nazis, telling the example of two Dutch nationals who risked their lives by harboring Jews.
Herzog said that after the war, Jews interned by the Dutch later immigrated to Israel, and their grandchildren died fighting to protect the Jewish state.
The presence of the Israeli president at the museum’s unveiling drew the ire of local activists, and the country’s military responded to the October 7 terrorist attack in which Hamas terrorists massacred about 1,200 people in Israel and captured hundreds more. The president was accused of committing a war crime over his actions. .
Israeli President Isaac Herzog (C) speaks at the opening ceremony of the National Holocaust Museum at the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, March 10, 2024 (Photo by Bart Maat/ANP/AFP)/Netherlands OUT (Photo) Provided by: BART) MAAT/ANP/AFP (via Getty Images)
Emil Schreiber, director of the Jewish Cultural District to which the museum belongs, said that while he understands some of the criticism against Israel, “we don’t want to exclude all the people that this museum is intended for.” This museum is about the murder of Dutch Jews. ”
Schreiber pointed out that, as president of Israel, Herzog represents the thousands of Jews of Dutch origin who immigrated to Israel after World War II. People live there too, and we want those people to feel represented.”
