Politician Paul Smits resigns after arrest at Amsterdam pro-Palestinian protest

Gelderland Member of the Provincial Council Paul Smits is resigning from his position as vice-chairman of GroenLinks Gelderland. Smits was arrested early last week during a protest at the Univerity of Amsterdam against the war in Gaza. He will continue as a member of the Provincial Council.

Smits was at the pro-Palestinain protest on the Roeterseiland campus of the UvA last week Monday. The police arrested 169 people there, including Smits.

Faction leader Charlotte de Roo of GroenLinks Gelderland previously said she would discuss the incident with Smits. “For GroenLinks, it is beyond dispute that our representatives respect authority and are bound by the rules of the law,” she said. The faction spoke with Smits “about his actions as an activist and how this relates to his role as an elected representative of the people.”

The outcome of that conversation, which happened on Monday, is that Smits will step down as deputy party leader in the Provincial Council. Smits said his “political work for GroenLinks” in the Provincial Council and his “social commitment to justice” are “very close” to his heart. “When one role makes my performance in another role difficult, it is good to take a pause.”

Smits posted his statement on the GroenLinks Gelderland website. He did not want to provide an additional explanation to the ANP.

The PVV Gelderland has requested an emergency debate about Smit’s “behaviors” and how they relate to his public position. The Gelderland Provincial Council will meet on Wednesday. If at least 10 of the 55 members of the Provincial Council agree, the emergency debate will be held that day.

Smits previously attended at least one other pro-Palestinian demonstration. In April, the Gelderland PVV refused to sign a Council-wide statement against anti-Semitism and discrimination, partly because GroenLinks was included.