Amsterdam Leader Condemns Israel, Faces Backlash

The Dutch Illusion of Morality: How Mayor Halsema Embodies the Naivety That Endangers Us All

The Netherlands has long marketed itself as a bastion of honesty, tolerance, and directness. But for anyone paying real attention, this self-image is no more than a carefully crafted illusion. Behind the polished facade lies a culture steeped in cowardice, opportunism, and staggering arrogance. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the political leadership of Amsterdam and in particularly in its mayor, Femke Halsema.

Time and again, Halsema has shown herself to be unwaveringly aligned with pro-Palestinian rhetoric, often ignoring or whitewashing the violent and extremist elements within that movement. Her stance is not only politically biased but also dangerously out of touch with the realities that Israel and the Jewish community at large, face daily.

The Holocaust Museum and Political Hypocrisy

Consider the symbolic moment of the Holocaust Museum opening in Amsterdam. A solemn occasion to reflect on the horrors of antisemitism and genocide. Yet in the same breath, the city’s leadership, under Halsema, continues to allow or even subtly endorse anti-Israel sentiment in public discourse and demonstrations. Her actions betray the very memory that such a museum is supposed to preserve. You cannot claim to mourn the victims of one genocide while turning a blind eye, or worse, giving voice to modern antisemitic rhetoric thinly veiled as “solidarity with Palestinians.”

A Mayor with a Dangerous Agenda

Recently, Halsema took to the TV program Buitenhof to criticize Modi Ephraim, Israel’s ambassador to the Netherlands, for daring to respond to her one-sided condemnation of Israel. She called on the Dutch cabinet to hold Israel accountable for supposed “human rights violations” in Gaza, conveniently ignoring the fact that Israel is defending its citizens from terrorist organizations like Hamas.

And when Modi Ephraim, a true diplomat and a strong representative of the Jewish state, pushed back with facts and firmness, Halsema didn’t reflect, she doubled down. She now expects the Dutch government to reprimand him for doing his job. How far we’ve fallen, when mayors can spread libel against a democratic ally like Israel while treating its ambassador as the villain.

A Dangerous Double Standard

Pro-Israel demonstrations are marginalized under Halsema’s leadership. While pro-Palestinian protests are granted prime spots with the royal palace as their backdrop, our calls for peace and justice are shunted to the sidelines, literally. We were forced to demonstrate near a dangerous, traffic-heavy street, exposing attendees to risks that could easily have been avoided. Our request for a safer, more prominent location was denied without explanation.

And yet, time after time, so-called “peaceful” Palestinian protests have been allowed full visibility and favorable conditions, even when participants chant incendiary slogans or openly glorify terrorist acts. Why the double standard? Why is it acceptable to demonize Israel but not to express support for its right to exist and defend itself?

A Missed Opportunity for Security and Understanding

When I attempted to introduce a high-level training program in Arabic language and culture , ,specifically designed to equip Dutch intelligence and police forces, to better understand and engage with communities affected by Islamic extremism, it was flatly rejected. Even the Dutch AIVD (Intelligence Agency) laughed off the idea. That is the kind of arrogant ignorance that will cost lives.

At a time when Europe is facing unprecedented security challenges due to mass migration and radicalization, understanding the cultural and ideological landscape is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. But in the Netherlands, political correctness trumps security, and left-wing ideologues like Halsema would rather virtue signal than take real, effective action.

Modi Ephraim: The Voice of Courage

In contrast, Ambassador Modi Ephraim embodies what leadership should look like. He is not just a diplomat; he is a voice of reason, courage, and truth. When Israel is slandered, he speaks. When lies are spread, he answers. His strength is not just in words but in his unwavering commitment to his nation and to truth. That is exactly what every ambassador should be, and exactly why he must be supported, not silenced.

The Dutch Government Must Act

It’s time for the Dutch government to make a choice. Will they continue to enable the biased and harmful rhetoric of leaders like Halsema, or will they stand up for their ally Israel, and by extension, for truth and justice?

The largest party in the Netherlands today is led by Geert Wilders. If Wilders and his coalition are serious about combating antisemitism and protecting Dutch security, then they must act. Halsema’s position has become untenable. She has crossed a line, again, and shown that she cannot represent all  people of Amsterdam. A motion for her dismissal would not only be justified, it would be a long-overdue correction.

Conclusion

The Netherlands is at a crossroads. Will it continue to bathe in its own self-righteousness, blind to the threats within and without? Or will it awaken to the realities of a world where silence in the face of extremism is complicity, and false morality is a betrayal of justice?

To every Dutch citizen who still believes in truth, in justice, and in standing with our greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel, now is the time to speak.

Am Yisrael Chai.