Speaking Up for Israel in a Hostile Climate

My Struggle as a Pro-Israel Advocate in the Netherlands

History has a cruel way of repeating itself. As a child, I learned about the horrors of World War II, the silence of the majority, the cowardice of bystanders, and the bravery of a few who dared to resist Nazi propaganda. That same dangerous silence is returning to Dutch society, and once again, it is those who stand for truth who are being punished.

Today, being openly pro-Israel in the Netherlands feels like a social and professional death sentence. I’ve never felt entirely at home here, but never more so than now. Standing up for truth and justice has become dangerous again. The cost of moral clarity is often social exile and I’ve paid that price.

In my professional life, I’ve always upheld integrity and professionalism. I don’t bring politics into the workplace. I bring experience, a strong résumé, and dedication. But these no longer seem to matter. Once there’s even a whisper of support for Israel, the doors begin to close. And when they see the name of my foundation, Time to Stand Up for Israel, the rejection is swift and final.

Forget qualifications. Forget merit. If you stand with Israel, you’re branded an outcast. I’ve lost count of how many job opportunities have vanished, not due to my capabilities, but because of a silent, insidious form of antisemitism that still lurks beneath the surface. It wears new disguises now: “political concerns,” “diversity policies,” or “cultural sensitivities.” But the result is always the same; marginalization, exclusion, rejection.

It’s maddening. It’s unjust. And yet, I will not bend. I will not be silent.

Call me stubborn or idealistic, but I will not betray the values I hold dear. I will not deny the truth, even if it costs me everything. I choose to stand with Israel—not because it’s easy, but because it is right.

As the founder of Time to Stand Up for Israel, I strive to share respectful, fact-based content grounded in history. I am not interested in hate or division, only in shining a light on the truth. My posts are not acts of defiance, they are declarations of integrity. In a society that increasingly rewards moral cowardice and punishes moral clarity, we must refuse to go along.

When the choice is between civilization and barbarism, I choose civilization. I choose Israel.

No job, no peer pressure, no fear will silence me. I would rather go hungry with my dignity than feast in a system built on fear and hypocrisy.

To those reading this: wake up. The warning signs are here. The silence is spreading. And we know too well where this road leads. We must not repeat history. Not again.

I am far from alone in this experience. Many Dutch citizens who support Israel feel the same pressure. It’s no longer “cool” or “socially acceptable” to stand by a country with strong democratic values. Instead, what’s trendy is rebellion for rebellion’s sake—supporting the side that’s seen as edgy or forbidden. It’s like an adrenaline hit: dangerous, senseless, but momentarily thrilling. Like bungee jumping. You know it’s risky. You know it serves no purpose beyond a quick rush. But what if the rope snaps?

If that rope breaks, the thrill turns to horror. The crowd that once cheered turns to mourning. And instead of blaming the person who made the reckless jump, society looks for someone else to blame—the operator, the rope, the system. That’s exactly what we’re seeing now with the situation in Gaza.

Don’t blame Israel for defending itself. Don’t blame a country that does everything it can to avoid civilian casualties, even when fighting an enemy that hides among civilians. And don’t blame individuals who dare to stand up for Israel’s right to exist and protect its people.

We must reject the false moral equivalence that turns defenders into villains and glorifies those who seek destruction. The truth matters. History matters. And standing with Israel isn’t just about politics, it’s about preserving our humanity.

Let’s not be silent. Let’s not be complicit. Let’s choose courage over comfort.