By Marelinke van der Riet

In early November, following the Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv football match in Amsterdam, a shocking and violent antisemitic attack unfolded. Israeli fans were hunted down, harassed, and some violently attacked. The severity of the incident quickly led both Israeli and international leaders to label it a “pogrom”, drawing comparisons to the violent anti-Jewish attacks in Nazi Germany in 1938. To further deepen the tragedy, this horrific event occurred on 8 November, just one day before the anniversary of Kristallnacht—the “Night of Broken Glass”—when nearly 100 Jews were killed, 30,000 Jewish men were arrested, and more than 1,000 synagogues were burned down in Nazi Germany.

Although 86 years have passed since then, the echoes of that dark day in European history are hard to ignore, and it is deeply unsettling to witness. Attacks on Jewish individuals, homes, businesses, and synagogues have become disturbingly common. In Amsterdam, Jews were forced to hide in hotels, were run over by cars, and were stopped and asked to show their passports. To anyone with a moral compass, these are clearly acts of hate. Yet, some refuse to condemn such horrific actions. Amsterdam’s Mayor, Femke Halsema, even expressed regret for using the word “pogrom”, suggesting it was used as propaganda to discriminate against Dutch Muslims.

As antisemitism becomes increasingly normalized, and with hate crimes against Jews in the EU rising by more than 400% since October 2023, one thing is clear: As Christians, we cannot and will not remain silent.

The leaders of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) branch in the Netherlands has strongly condemned this vile antisemitic attack—one that is far from isolated—and has called on Dutch government leaders to take immediate action to curb the growing tide of antisemitism.

Jacob Keegstra, head of ICEJ-Netherlands, issued a statement expressing horror and shame over the events of November 8. In just 10 days, the statement quickly gathered over 14,000 signatures from Christians across the Netherlands in support of the Jewish community. His statement reads:

“It is with horror and shame that we saw what transpired last night in Amsterdam. This anti-Semitic pogrom is appalling, unacceptable, and we strongly condemn it. It is a very sad day for the Netherlands. That those rioters so actively and deliberately attacked, abused, and pelted Israeli supporters is mind-boggling.

Prime Minister Schoof has called Prime minister Netanyahu and said: ‘These are unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis.’ Our King Willem Alexander has indicated to President Herzog: ‘We have disappointed the Dutch Jews in the Second World War and now disappointed them again.’

As International Christian Embassy Jerusalem Netherlands (ICEJ Netherlands) we want to say: Lord, forgive us as a nation, that we treat Jews in the Netherlands this way and are apparently unable to protect them enough.

At the same time, a parallel can be drawn with what is going on in Israel. Apparently, the Netherlands is unable to keep a few hundred demonstrators under control. Israel is being attacked on a large scale with weapons and rockets. Our prayer is: Lord, please expose what is really going on. It’s a much bigger problem. Unfortunately, Iran and its proxies want to unleash an international intifada and destroy Israel. It is very clear that we see antisemitism here. Unfortunately, Jew-hatred is also alive and well in the Netherlands.

As ICEJ, we stand with the Jewish community in the Netherlands and worldwide and call on our government to fight with all its might and strength, that such an antisemitic pogrom will never, ever happen again.”

This petition, along with 14,000 handwritten signatures, was delivered to Dutch leaders, including Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives, Martin Bosma, as well as the Deputy Ambassador of Israel Yaron Wax. The timing was critical—just before a parliamentary debate on the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant. It was a moment that mirrored the biblical story of Esther, where courage and action were required to advocate for the Jewish people. Esther risked everything by bringing her petition before the king, ultimately leading to the salvation of her community.

In a similar way, Christians today are called to take action, to advocate for Israel and to speak out against rising antisemitism. Esther’s words still resonate: “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 / NKJV).

These words serve as a powerful reminder that silence in the face of injustice is not an option. In this spirit, the statement condemning the attacks in Amsterdam was also shared with the Dutch Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs, further emphasizing that Christians in the Netherlands stand firmly in support of the Jewish people.

Moreover, in response to the attacks in Amsterdam, Israel took swift action to ensure the safety of its citizens, which included sending MDA paramedics, arranging emergency evacuation flights, and other urgent measures. These efforts highlighted the vigilance and resilience needed by the Jewish community, both in Israel and abroad, reaffirming Israel’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Jews everywhere.

This episode also underscores the vital role of Christian solidarity with Israel during such times of crisis for the Jewish state and people. Latest reports indicate the offices of another pro-Israel Christian organization in the Netherland was just vandalized because of their efforts to also stand with the Jewish nation.

In such moments, it is clear that Jews are far from powerless. They are strong—not by choice, but out of necessity. And just as Esther was called “for such a time as this”, we too are called to stand for justice, to speak out, and to support those who face hatred and persecution. As Isaiah 62:1 declares: “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch” (NIV).

Christians must continue to speak out, ensuring that such Jew-hatred is never allowed to take root again.

Main photo: ICEJ-Netherlands head Jacob Keegstra (right) with Dutch Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs (left).