Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema banned a mass demonstration against anti-Semitism, giving a unique explanation for this ban.
This was reported by the press service of the mayor’s office of the capital of the Netherlands.
The mayor’s office clarified that Mayor Femke Halsema personally decided to cancel the demonstration against anti-Semitism scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, November 28. The reason given for this ban was concern for the safety of the city’s Jewish citizens.
“This Thursday is one of the busiest shopping nights of the year. There is a high probability of spontaneous protests. The police do not have enough resources to guarantee the safety of both participants and buyers,” said the mayor’s press secretary.
In response to this decision, several organizations, including Christians for Israel (CFI) and the Israel Information and Documentation Center (CIDI), considered filing lawsuits.
“We consider it extremely important that the meeting takes place, even if it is moved to another location. We considered taking legal action, but decided that due to time constraints we would not be able to bring it effectively. The city council delayed the decision and holding the event on Dam Square became impossible. We encourage everyone to come and show our support for the Jewish community,” said CFI Netherlands director Frank van Oordt.
Later, the mayor’s office said that the event could take place, but that it would be moved to Stopera Square.
“This is not a ban, but a transfer, and this issue has not yet been officially resolved,” said representatives of the mayor’s office, reports De Telegraaf.
The organizations that planned the demonstration expressed their discontent with the actions of the Amsterdam city authorities.
“Security has never been a problem for the mayor. And now they are redirecting us to another place, as if it were safer there. We are just completely ignored,” said CIDI director Naomi Mestrum.
And Frank van Oordt added that it is deeply disappointing that the safety of peaceful protesters cannot be guaranteed in 2024. While pro-Palestinian demonstrations continue in the same square where the tragic murder of Jews during World War II is commemorated each year.
“This is very sad, especially when the pro-Palestinian demonstrations continue in Dam Square, a place where the memory of the Jewish victims of the Holocaust is commemorated,” he was outraged, adding that the postponement of the demonstration was perceived as an insult to the Jewish Community.
According to De Telegraaf, a pro-Palestinian demonstration is planned for Saturday, November 30 in Dam Square. However, it is not yet known whether this demonstration will move to another location.
Recall that Cursor wrote that Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema initially refused to call the attack on fans of the Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv a “pogrom.”
