Dutch King Assures Jewish Community They Aren't Responsible for Israel's Actions

During a visit to the "Beit Yehuda" synagogue in The Hague on Wednesday, September 30, Dutch King Willem-Alexander publicly stated that the Jewish community in the Netherlands is not responsible for the actions of the Israeli government. The visit, conducted under heavy police guard, aimed to express support for the Jewish community, which has reported feeling increasingly isolated and vulnerable, particularly since the October 7th Hamas attacks.

The King's remarks come amidst strained relations between the Netherlands and Israel, partly due to checks at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport for goods from the West Bank and East Jerusalem. "The silent majority in the Netherlands must rally around our Jewish community and say: do not touch them," the King urged, calling for a stand against antisemitism.

Members of the community, which comprises about 300 families, shared their experiences with the King. Sid Wagenfeld, a youth worker, told the King, "Jews are connected to Israel, but not to the Israeli government. Many do not understand this difference." He noted that the King's visit affirmed their belonging to the Netherlands.

Participants described feeling unsafe, with one woman afraid to take a taxi to the synagogue, children changing schools, and individuals hiding Star of David necklaces. Rabbi Asher Waterman of the synagogue highlighted that while public discourse often focuses on Israel and antisemitism, Dutch Jewish life is broader. He also mentioned sending a letter of support to a neighboring mosque after offensive graffiti appeared on its walls.

The "Beit Yehuda" synagogue, originally built in 1726 for Portuguese Jews, was restored and reopened in 1976. During the reception, children sang in Hebrew and discussed their school experiences, including conversations they have had about being Jewish.