Threats and bullying against Jewish schoolchildren in the Netherlands have increased since the war between Hamas and Israel began earlier this month, to the point that some parents are transferring their kids to Jewish schools.
Many thanks to Gary Fouse for translating this article from De Telegraaf:
“No words for what is now happening”
CJO [Centraal Joods Overleg, Central Jewish Consultative Committee]: Jewish children threatened and bullied from school
by Vincent Lengkeek
October 20, 2021Amsterdam — Jewish children are being threatened and bullied now that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has flared up. Dozens of parents have held discussions about transferring to one of the three Jewish schools in Amsterdam-Buitenveldert, reports the Central Jewish Consultative Committee. The organization speaks of a “troubling trend”.
“Six children have already made the change this week,” says Chairman Chanan Hertzberger, Thursday to De Telegraaf. “We hope this won’t become common, and we ask for action from the government. This is not just Amsterdam, but rather a national problem. That children must leave their school because they are threatened. I have no words for it. At least in France, they are taking tough action against it.”
According to the CJO, the Jewish community in the Netherlands is devastated by the “lack of support” from society after the bloody terror attack by Hamas last week in southern Israel and the anti-Semitic reaction to Jews abroad. “That one cannot make the distinction between Israel and Jews. A schism has arisen: You are for or against. This is how it gets completely out of hand.”
The CJO is unhappy with the action of Rotterdam city council members over a motion on Jew-hatred. According to Hertzberger, the news that the motion failed to pass hit the Jewish community like a shock. “Just that such a motion is necessary, but that several parties subsequently decided to walk away…We find it unbelievable.”