Several Dutch mayors expressed outrage on Tuesday at comments made by the leader of the far-right Partij voor de Vrijheid (PVV), Geert Wilders.
Wilders had tweeted “Get these thugs out of the country. And Halsema can go with them” in reference to pro-Palestinian protesters and Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema (GroenLinks), who had allowed their demonstration.
On Monday, around 320 people were detained during demonstrations in Amsterdam. About 300 of them were pro-Palestinian protesters aiming to gather at Dam Square, where a memorial for the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 was being held.
Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma (Partij van de Arbeid) called on the Dutch government to immediately distance itself from Wilders’ statements. Dijksma said it was “completely irresponsible for Geert Wilders to make such a statement at the expense of our colleague Femke Halsema and us as officeholders, who perform our duties in good faith within the bounds of the rule of law.”
Dijksma emphasised that all parties in parliament must “defend the rule of law and our constitutional freedoms,” explaining that mayors seek balance in applying the law to facilitate demonstrations, even when emotions run high.
“Wilders is polarising society by attacking a mayor who is trying to keep the community united in good faith,” said Breda Mayor Paul Depla (PvdA).
Arnhem Mayor Ahmed Marcouch (PvdA) noted that “vilifying people and undermining institutions is detrimental to democracy.”
Nijmegen's mayor, Hubert Bruls (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) described Wilders’ words as “completely inappropriate and intimidating.” He said he expected a strong response from Interior Minister Judith Uitermark (Nieuw Sociaal Contract) and members of parliament.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof, speaking to RTL Nieuws and NOS, expressed his government’s support for Halsema, but declined to comment further on Wilders’ statement. Schoof criticised the timing of the pro-Palestinian demonstration on 7 October as “inappropriate,” but reiterated that “demonstrating is a fundamental right, even on 7 October.”
Minister Uitermark echoed Schoof’s sentiments, asserting that politicians should set a good example. She, too, refrained from addressing Wilders’ comments directly, noting: “The government is responsible for its own words, not those of Mr. Wilders.”
