MP defends remarks on Palestinians, says tone was wrong amid political backlash

Dutch MP Gidi Markuszower stated that he feels he should have presented himself in a “better, sharper, and more appropriate” way when speaking on camera for the communist platform Left Laser. He said this in an interview with Sven Kockelmann on Sven op 1.

In the video, Markuszower is shown saying that Palestinian refugees should be stopped using force, suggesting this could involve “possibly even more violence than they themselves have experienced,” according to the MP from Groep Markuszower. When Left Laser asked whether he meant more violence than what Palestinians endure in areas such as the Gaza Strip, he reportedly reacted nonchalantly, shrugging off the question.

Markuszower later told Kockelmann that his earlier remarks were made in the heat of the moment. He clarified that he was referring to the idea that the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee could use “maximum force” when dealing with illegal entry, such as at Schiphol Airport. He said he was primarily talking about Palestinians travelling without papers from Greece. “The form could have been better, but the content remains,” he added.

Markuszower made his statements during a week marked by unrest in multiple locations linked to the arrival of refugees. Earlier, he visited Loosdrecht, where riots took place on Tuesday, and a fire broke out at a temporary shelter for asylum seekers. He and other politicians present at the scene faced accusations of stirring up tensions among residents, which Markuszower rejects.

Markuszower, who leads a small parliamentary faction of former PVV members alongside six other MPs, previously received backing from coalition parties D66, VVD, and CDA. He said he does not expect his recent statements to jeopardize future cooperation with these parties, although none of the three have yet formally responded.

Jan Paternotte of D66 labeled it “complete idiocy,” while GroenLinks-PvdA leader Jesse Klaver (the largest opposition party, which will soon be renamed PRO) called the remarks an “absolute low point” that warrants a “collective condemnation.” VVD’s Ruben Brekelmans has criticized his remarks, while Laurens Dassen of Volt has also condemned them.

“Calls for violence are something I always strongly condemn,” said Justice Minister David van Weel in response to Markuszower’s remarks. Van Weel emphasized that politicians must choose their words carefully, “especially at a time when public debate is already heated.”

Human rights group The Rights Forum said it will file a report, while the minister stated that it is for the Public Prosecution Service to assess whether the MP’s remarks are punishable under the law.

Meanwhile, Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink has not commented on the statements calling for violence, according to his spokesperson.