Amsterdam City Hall has announced a series of initiatives aimed at combating antisemitism and supporting Jewish life in the city.
In a statement, the municipality emphasised that all residents should feel safe and free, but acknowledged that many Jewish Amsterdammers continue to experience offensive remarks, intimidation, and online hatred.
These experiences often discourage the open expression of faith or heritage and contribute to feelings of fear and insecurity.
The city underlined the long-standing presence of the Jewish community in Amsterdam, as well as its profound influence on the city’s language and culture.
Among the planned initiatives is the creation of a free Amsterdam-Yiddish dictionary, which will highlight the community’s cultural contributions. The municipality also intends to expand the De Joodse Stad project to all districts and Weesp, showcasing Jewish life, history, and traditions both past and present.
Amsterdam City Hall noted that the gap between the lived experiences of Jewish residents and official reports of antisemitism remains significant.
In 2023, the regional reporting platform Discriminatie.nl received 48 antisemitism reports, rising to 88 last year, whereas Jewish organisations continue to receive numerous reports of incidents that go unrecorded.
To address this, the municipality is working to raise awareness of reporting channels among the city’s approximately 23,000 Jewish residents, emphasising the accessibility of the process and strengthening cooperation between reporting platforms and Jewish organisations such as the CIDI.
The city stated that increased reporting will help authorities monitor antisemitism more effectively and respond proactively.
Existing efforts include the Kom Op Amsterdam campaign, which has addressed antisemitism since 2019, and regular discussions between Jewish representatives and police in the Centrum and Zuid districts on safety issues.
Offensive graffiti and stickers in public spaces are removed promptly, and events and exhibitions are organised to foster interaction between Jewish and non-Jewish residents, challenging prejudices and promoting understanding.
The municipality also supports activities in community centres, schools, and cultural institutions to encourage encounters between residents, fostering empathy and reducing discrimination.
Jewish residents are being assisted in developing projects that strengthen identity, culture, and visibility, with a focus on young people and young adults.
All initiatives are guided by the needs and priorities of the Jewish community itself.
In April 2025, Mayor Femke Halsema formally apologised on behalf of the city for its role during the persecution of Jews. To give lasting meaning to this apology, Amsterdam is investing €25 million in the future of Jewish life, ensuring that initiatives are coordinated and mutually reinforcing.
