Israel Supporters To Rally In Amsterdam As Dutch Settlement Goods Ban Looms

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (Worthy News) – Christians and Jews are due to gather Thursday on Amsterdam’s central Dam Square for a major pro-Israel rally, days before the Netherlands introduces a ban on trade in goods from Israeli settlements in territories it considers occupied.

The September 17 rally, organized by the group Op de Bres voor Israël (“Standing Up for Israel”), is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. local time and “will include prayers, Hebrew songs, and speeches.” Organizers say they want to demonstrate support for Israel and oppose antisemitism.

Speakers are expected to include Chris Stoffer, leader of the conservative Christian SGP party; Dutch Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs; Jacques Brunt of Op de Bres voor Israël; Shanna Vink-Meijer from the Jewish community; and pastor Oscar Lohuis of Christenen voor Israël (Christians for Israel). Organizers also plan to unfurl an Israeli flag covering some 600 square meters (about 6,460 square feet).

The gathering comes as the Netherlands prepares to prohibit the import, purchase, and sale of goods originating from Israeli settlements in territories that the Dutch government considers occupied.

DUTCH SANCTIONS TAKE EFFECT

“The settlements in the territories occupied by Israel are unlawful,” the government said in a statement seen by Worthy News. “With the proposed measures, the Netherlands is further implementing its obligation under international law not to contribute to this unlawful situation.”

The government submitted the sanctions decree to the Council of State for expedited advice on May 22. The Council subsequently issued its opinion without prompting changes, and the decree was published in the Dutch Official Gazette ahead of its September 22 implementation.

From that date, importing, buying, or selling goods covered by the decree will be prohibited, as will providing intermediary services facilitating such trade or circumventing the restrictions.

The measures do not constitute a general boycott of Israeli products. The government said its existing policy of discouraging economic activities connected to Israeli settlements, in place since 2006, will also continue.

SIX-YEAR MAXIMUM SENTENCE

Intentional violations of Dutch sanctions regulations can be prosecuted as economic crimes and, in serious cases, carry a maximum prison sentence of six years, alongside other possible penalties.

Christians for Israel has strongly criticized the restrictions and highlighted the potential punishment. The organization has compared boycotts of settlement products with historical boycotts of Jewish goods, including those imposed in Nazi Germany.

The Dutch government rejects suggestions that the measure amounts to a general boycott of Israel, saying it is intended to prevent Dutch economic activity from contributing to settlements it regards as unlawful.

The controversy comes after Christians for Israel itself became the focus of protests and other incidents over its outspoken support for the Jewish state.

ISRAEL CENTER TARGETED

The organization’s Israel Center in Nijkerk, a town in the central Netherlands about 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Amsterdam, has repeatedly faced demonstrations and graffiti. Protesters have painted slogans including “Stop Genocide,” “Stop Child Murder,” and “Blood on your hands,” as well as an obscenity directed at Israel.

Several demonstrators faced legal proceedings over the defacement, with four protesters receiving suspended fines in connection with graffiti at the center.

Tensions escalated further when an explosion occurred at the entrance gate of the Israel Center. Nobody was injured and damage was limited, but police launched an investigation. Christians for Israel director Frank van Oordt described the blast as an attack that had deeply affected the organization.

Christians for Israel events elsewhere have also faced protests, including a meeting in Zaltbommel where attendees said they were intimidated and harassed.

SUPPORTERS GATHER IN AMSTERDAM

Against that backdrop, organizers say Thursday’s demonstration is intended as a public expression of solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community amid growing criticism of Israel and its conduct in the Palestinian territories.

Christians for Israel is helping supporters travel to Amsterdam, including by arranging buses to the demonstration.

Participants are expected to pray, sing Hebrew songs, and listen to Christian and Jewish speakers before unfurling the giant Israeli flag in the heart of the Dutch capital.

The demonstration comes against the backdrop of an increasingly polarized Dutch debate over Israel, antisemitism, the war, and the Palestinian territories.