Rising Anti-Semitism in the Netherlands Shadows Hanukkah Celebrations
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As many Jewish Dutch people begin the celebration of Hanukkah tonight, the ‘festival of lights’ commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago, a growing sense of unease and oppression hangs over the community. A surge in anti-Semitism is forcing Dutch Jews to confront a painful reality: a resurgence of hatred and discrimination in a country many considered a safe haven.
Dramatic Increase in Anti-Semitic Incidents
Dutch police recorded a disturbing increase in anti-Semitic incidents, with 880 reported cases in 2023 and last year, a significant jump from the 549 incidents documented in 2022. This alarming trend underscores a deepening problem that extends beyond isolated acts of bigotry. The NOS spoke with members of the Jewish Dutch community, many of whom requested anonymity due to fears of further harassment, revealing a pattern of escalating hostility.
The Intertwining of Criticism of Israel and Anti-Semitism
A common thread among those interviewed was the increasingly blurred line between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and outright anti-Semitism. Many Jewish Dutch individuals report feeling compelled to defend Israel’s actions, even when they hold complex or nuanced views themselves.
“People expect Jewish Dutch people to renounce Israel’s policy, otherwise you are wrong,” explained Jules van Hesse, a conductor. “If you say: ‘I find it complex, I don’t feel in a position to take a position,’ then you are wrong. While I think: my profession is music, my political position is not relevant to my audience.”
Van Hesse also noted the cancellation of projects with Jewish themes, with organizers citing the current climate as a reason to postpone or abandon them. “Then it is said: ‘Now is not the right time to do anything about being Jewish,’” he lamented. He has even experienced a loss of friendships, with individuals distancing themselves due to his perceived connection to the conflict in Gaza.
A Climate of Fear and Isolation
The impact of the escalating tensions extends to daily life. Since the October 7th attacks, Jewish community events are often held with undisclosed locations, revealed only on the day of the event. This heightened security measure, while necessary, reflects a growing sense of vulnerability.
“Nowadays, children who go to a Jewish school are in a kind of fortress,” Van Hesse observed. “That’s a growing concern in the community. The question is increasingly being asked: do we still feel at home here?”
Online Harassment and Real-World Threats
The rise in anti-Semitism isn’t confined to the physical world. Yaël Hersbach, a student at Utrecht University, shared her harrowing experience with online harassment after posting a story about Israel on Instagram in September 2023.
“When I posted a story about Israel on Instagram, dozens of people wrote that they wanted to rape, burn or even behead me,” Hersbach recounted. “People were angry about the fact that I lived in Israel, or about my Jewish background.” The threats escalated to attempts to discover her location and harm her family, forcing her to change her name and set her profile to private.
Hersbach also described a challenging atmosphere at her university, where she is frequently asked to justify her views on the conflict. “People expect me to explain myself about that, while I think: why? If people are actually interested in my opinion, then I am 100 percent open to a conversation. But if they just want to hear an echo of their own point of view, then I see no point in the conversation.” She expressed concern that wearing her Star of David in public is now discouraged by family and friends, fearing a negative reaction. “My Star of David is not the problem, an anti-Semitic reaction is,” she asserted.
Direct Confrontation and Widespread Anxiety
The impact of the rising anti-Semitism is felt across the Jewish community, regardless of religious observance. Aryeh Leib Heintz, a rabbi in Utrecht, described being verbally assaulted while walking in certain neighborhoods. “I can’t walk on the street in certain neighborhoods in Utrecht without being called after. Then they shout, for example: ‘dirty bastard Jew’,” he said. “I try to ignore it, but sometimes that is impossible, for example if someone attacks you. You have to have an elephant skin.”
Heintz emphasized the pervasive nature of the problem, noting that anti-Semitic propaganda has become widespread since October 7, 2023. He also reported hearing from fellow Jewish Dutch people – both conservative and non-conservative – who are experiencing similar forms of harassment and discrimination. “Some say they thought they knew who their friends were, but they also turned out to join in with anti-Semitic shouts.”
The experiences shared paint a disturbing picture of a community under siege, forced to navigate a landscape of fear, isolation, and escalating hatred as they attempt to celebrate a festival dedicated to light and hope.
