Dutch King Visits Jewish Community in The Hague, Expresses Solidarity

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands made a special official visit to the Jewish community in The Hague on Tuesday, marking the 300th anniversary of the local synagogue, "Beit Yehuda." The visit, conducted under heavy security, aimed to express solidarity with the community, which reports a significant increase in feelings of isolation and fear since the October 7th Hamas attack and the subsequent outbreak of the "Swords of Iron" war.

During a meeting with community leaders and youth, King Willem-Alexander stated, "The silent majority in the Netherlands must stand with the Jewish community and say in a clear voice, do not touch them." He emphasized that the diaspora Jewish community should not be held responsible for the policies of the Israeli government and pledged to continue working to raise awareness of their security and rights. When asked how the community could reach broader circles, he advised, "Keep talking."

The community, comprising approximately 300 households, shared difficult details about their new daily reality and complex security situation. Young people and leaders recounted instances of children changing schools, residents avoiding direct taxi pickups for safety, and others concealing Jewish identifiers like Star of David necklaces in public.

Sid Wagnveld, a young community activist, told the King, "There is always a feeling of loneliness among Jews, that we stand alone. But the King's visit proves that we are still an integral part of the Netherlands and belong here." Rabbi Asher Voolman added that while public discourse is often characterized by political tension and antisemitism, Jewish life centers on community, education, and coexistence. He also noted recently sending a letter of support to the Muslim community leadership after a nearby mosque was vandalized.

The "Beit Yehuda" synagogue, also known as the "Portuguese Synagogue," was originally established in 1726 for Portuguese merchants. After suffering damage during World War II, it was renovated and reopened in 1976. The current visit occurs amidst growing diplomatic tension between Israel and the Netherlands, with a notable shift in the Dutch government's stance and public discourse, alongside a worrying rise in antisemitic incidents across the country.