The Dutch government has allocated 3 million euros towards fighting antisemitism — the first time the Netherlands has placed the fight on its list of national priorities.
The funding, earmarked earlier this week during budget talks among members of the ruling coalition, establishes the fight against antisemitism as a key point demanding government attention alongside education, immigrant integration and five additional issues.
Sought by the Christian Union Party, the move follows intensive coverage in the Dutch media of Jews’ fear of harassment and violence, mostly from immigrants from Arab or Muslim countries or their descendants.
The government previously has not budgeted a lump sum for fighting antisemitism, only for specific issues connected to it such as security at Jewish institutions.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Dutch parliament in The Hague to protest antisemitism.
The demonstration, titled “Kippah On,” followed the warning given last week by the German government’s antisemitism envoy, Felix Klein, against wearing kippahs in public. It was organised by the Centre for Information and Documentation on Israel, CIDI, a Jewish community watchdog group.
