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MEPs VVD and SGP want a ban on Samidoun

by AI | 15.Nov 2024 | Europe in brief AI

BRUSSEL (ANP) – The Dutch Members of the European Parliament Malik Azmani (VVD, Renew) and Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP, ECR) want a ban on the pro-Palestinian organization Samidoun. They said this on Wednesday evening during an emergency debate in the European Parliament about the violence in Amsterdam against Israeli football supporters on the night of Thursday to Friday. Ruissen had requested the emergency debate.

Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas

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In the debate, the European Parliament and European Commissioner Margaritis Schinas (Promotion of the European Way of Life) expressed their horror at the violence against Jews. Both Parliament and the Commission are deeply concerned about the growing anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish sentiment in Europe. “Anti-Semitism remains a risk and must be combated,” said Schinas.

“Nothing justifies the organized pursuit of Maccabi fans or other Israeli visitors,” said Dutch MEP Thijs Reuten (GroenLinks-PvdA). Anyone guilty of anti-Semitism must be punished “with the full force of the law,” said his colleague Sander Smit (BBB).

Several other Dutch MEPs accused politicians of adding fuel to the fire with their statements. “Without knowing all the facts, politicians have generalized entire populations. Hundreds of thousands of people were targeted for political gain,” said Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (D66, Renew).

Several MEPs from the Patriots for Europe, of which the PVV, the party of PVV leader Geert Wilders, is a part, blamed the anti-Semitic violence on “newcomers and Islamist migrants,” said, among others, the Dane Anders Vistisen. The Dutch Anja Hazekamp (Party for the Animals) said that there was no justification for anti-Semitism, but also not for anti-Muslim sentiment. “Not even in the European Parliament.”

MEPs from right to left across various member states called for detection, prosecution, and imprisonment for the perpetrators of violence in Amsterdam. Everyone agrees that Jews must feel safe.

“Jews are living in fear again,” said Tomas Tobé of the centre-right EPP. “It reminds us of the darkest period in our history.” Other MEPs also referred to the Holocaust during the debate.

(November 13, 2024)

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