More Dutch municipalities speaking out against human rights violations in Gaza
More Dutch municipalities support Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema in her call for the Dutch government to call Israel to order and to stop the destruction of Gaza and the starvation and slaughter of Palestinians, Nieuwsuur reports after surveying the larger municipalities.
“It is not without reason that the NIOD and many independent human rights organizations speak of genocidal violence. We must leave the political difference of opinion behind us,” Halsema said to the Amsterdam city council earlier this week.
There can be no double standards when it comes to human rights, the Amsterdam mayor stressed. “That means that Hamas must be prosecuted, that means that anti-Semitism must always and everywhere be combated. And that also means that the international community, Europe, and the Netherlands must stand behind innocent Palestinians and Gazans who are being criminally murdered.”
“The Dutch Cabinet says it is drawing a line in the sand, but that is only meaningful if it leads to practical action, if the Israeli government is called to order, and peace is enforced. The destruction of Gaza must stop, the starvation must stop, the murder of Palestinians must stop,” Halsema said.
The Hague, Groningen, Tilburg, Apeldoorn, Arnhem, Amersfoort, Leiden, and Utrecht support Amsterdam’s call, Nieuwsuur found.
The Utrecht city council also adopted a motion stating that the city must use the term genocide in communications about Gaza. “Normally, it is not up to the municipality to speak out about international politics, but the terrible situation in Gaza and the violation of the ceasefire by Israel touches the hearts of our residents,” Utrecht mayor Sharon Dijksma told the program.
Leiden mayor Peter Heijkoop said it was time for the government to take a firmer position. “Israel has the right to defend itself,” he told Nieuwsuur. “But that right has limits. In the counter-reaction from the state of Israel, proportionality and humanity are now hard to find. And by bombing civilian targets and refusing emergency aid, the state of Israel is completely overstepping the boundaries.”
“When renowned institutions such as the NIOD and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem speak of genocide and genocidal violence, the Dutch government can no longer look the other way and must call the Israeli government to order,” said Arnhem mayor Ahmed Marcouch.
Apeldoorn mayor Ton Heerts believes it is up to the Cabinet to take a stand. “But we do expect this not to remain at just words. The Netherlands must commit itself to the actual de-escalation and humanitarian support.”
Amersfoort mayor Lucas Bolsius also said that the city council is hesitant to speak out on international conflicts and geopolitical developments. “But when an event has a major impact on Amersfoort society and how we as Amersfoorters live together, that is different.”
Haarlemmermeer and Zwolle told Nieuwsuur that they do not support Amsterdam’s call for the Dutch government to call Israel to order. Rotterdam is still deliberating. Almere, Zaandstad, Den Bosch, and Eindhoven refused to comment. And Breda Nijmegen, Haarlem, and Enschede did not respond.
