Support for Israel at demonstration in The Hague

On the Koekamp, a park just next to the Malieveld in The Hague, Jewish music can be heard. On a stage, musician Christian Verwoerd plays Jewish songs with a small band.

People from all over the country came to The Hague to show their support for Israel. Kees Heijstek (82), with a cap, two small flags and a large Israeli flag, shows a sign with the text "Israel is God's miracle".

"I believe in that miracle," explains the resident of Sprang-Capelle. "Otherwise, Israel would have ceased to exist a long time ago. Israel has survived five wars. Hamas and Iran wanted to destroy them, but God has a special plan for Israel."

Participants in the demonstration, organised by Christians for Israel (CVI) and the Centre for Information and Documentation on Israel (CIDI), wave Israeli flags enthusiastically. A man with a yarmulke wears a tie with the flag of the Jewish state. A banner says: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."

Powerful signal

The Israel demonstration is a counterpart to the many pro-Palestinian protests of the past few days in the Netherlands. The contrast could not have been greater. No angry crowds, no hatred and violence, no calls for a caliphate, no praise for terrorist organisations, no calls to massacre opponents.

It is important to show that Israel has many friends in the Netherlands, CIDI and CVI say. "With this, we want to send a strong signal to the Dutch government to support Israel in difficult times as well. We know ourselves to be consistently connected to the people and the state of Israel."

The organisers have been allocated to a larger venue due to the expected turnout. There is a massive police presence. About fifteen police vans, two police horses and a squad of riot police are on standby.

A counter-demonstration has been called off. Two female passers-by blatantly take pictures of participants and shout an ugly insult. The police react quickly. The ladies are forbidden to stay. "Get out; otherwise, you will be arrested for disturbing the peace". There are no further disturbances.

Destruction

A small army of speakers gives Israel a shot in the arm. All three minutes. CIDI-director Hanna Luden expressed her great concern about the "incomprehensible understanding" in the Netherlands for the attacks by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which aim at the destruction of Israel. Politicians should "take the butter off their heads".

CVI-director Frank van Oordt calls on Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Foreign Minister Stef Blok to immediately board a plane to Israel to show "solidarity": "We stand behind Israel."

Van Oordt urges the government to condemn Hamas' violence and hatred. "The Israeli army is doing everything to avoid civilian casualties; Hamas is hiding behind civilians."

Ronny Naftaniel of the Central Jewish Consultation (CJO) is worried about the future. Hamas will rebuild Gaza after a while, while Iran will again supply the terror group with weapons, Naftaniel expects. "The population is suffering under a regime that chooses to fight instead of build."

Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs wonders if political parties in the Netherlands realise that they are "stirring up hatred" rather than extinguishing it with their anti-Israel stance. "Do political parties know that Islamic organisations are calling for the murder of Jews all over the world, including in the Netherlands?"

Jacobs' prayer is that there will soon be peace for all residents of Israel regardless of their origin, but also for Israel's neighbours and the innocent citizens of Gaza. "Shalom."

Rabbi Tamarah Benima wonders what would happen if thousands of rockets were shot at Hoogeveen from autonomous Urk. "What would the Netherlands do then...!"

Guest of honour

The guest of honour during the demonstration is the Israeli ambassador Naor Gilon. He pointed out that Israel has friends in many countries in the world. And in Urk. "Heartwarming to see so many people, Jews and non-Jews together."

Gilon points out that Israel has the right to defend itself against the more than 4,000 rockets that Hamas, with Iran's help, has fired at civilian targets in Israel.

"I am very moved by this demonstration," Ambassador Gilon said when asked afterwards. "Of course, this demonstration makes sense. It is a demonstration of love for Israel." He promises to convey this "important message" to the Israeli government.

The manifestation takes place just before a discussion in Parliament on the explosion of violence in Israel and Gaza. In a manifesto, CIDI and CVI call upon politicians to ward off the influence of terrorist organisations in Europe, support Israel in its right to self-defence, and thoroughly combat anti-Semitism.

Members of Parliament Don Ceder (CU), Kees van der Staaij (SGP), Gidi Markuszower (PVV), Nicki Pouw and Derk Jan Eppink (JA21) find some time to express their sympathy for Israel. Sara van Oordt from CoI gives them all an Israeli flag. "For the party office. And maybe for the Lower House."

Umbrella

Under an umbrella with Israeli flags, Jacqueline de Geus from 's-Gravendeel and Willy Wilschut from Dordrecht expressed their warm support for Israel. The media spread a false image of the struggle between Israel and the Palestinians, the two say. "Israel fights back when it is under attack. They don't start."

A Kurdish refugee from Iraq - "no, no, no name"- watches the demonstration from a distance. "I dare not participate openly; otherwise, my family in Iraq will be in danger."

This article was published earlier in Dutch daily Reformatorisch Dagblad on May 21st.