Over 6,300 Christians, including pastors and religious leaders across the Netherlands, have signed a petition urging government officials to protect individuals who express support for Israel following a series of concerning incidents targeting pro-Israel organizations and gatherings.
The petition emerged after multiple confrontations, most notably in Zaltbommel, where violent protesters disrupted a Christian event organized by the Christenen voor Israel (Christians for Israel) foundation. Attendees reported being surrounded by hostile demonstrators, having objects thrown at them, and experiencing property damage including punctured tires and vehicle vandalism.
Rising Tensions Following Media Reports
Recent tensions intensified after investigative journalists alleged that Christians for Israel had financed housing and possible weapon deliveries to Jewish settlers in the West Bank, contributing approximately €300,000 ($342,000) to build the Israeli settlement of Revava on Palestinian-owned land.
Both Christians for Israel and Israel’s Defense Ministry have categorically denied these allegations. Yehuda Eliyahu, head of the Settlements Administration within Israel’s Ministry of Defense, clarified that the construction consists of only ten temporary housing units intended for Ukrainian refugees, with eight units “irrefutably established” on public land where building is permitted.
“There are no indications that these two houses are located on land in Palestinian private ownership,” Eliyahu stated regarding units that may fall outside official building boundaries. He further noted that no legal claims have been made regarding the land in question.
Escalating Confrontations
Despite these clarifications, confrontations have continued. Reverend Oscar Lohuis, who was scheduled to speak at the Zaltbommel event, described how attendees struggled to reach the venue due to aggressive protesters. As the situation deteriorated, participants relocated to “a room without windows and inaccessible from the outside” to continue their meeting.
“It feels as if we’re sitting in a hidden church,” Lohuis recalled telling attendees before reading from Psalm 22, which addresses suffering.
The foundation’s Israel Center has also experienced anti-Israel graffiti attacks, while staff members have reported receiving threatening phone calls from individuals shouting “Allahu Akbar” (“Allah is the Greatest”).
Petition Demands Government Action
The petition specifically addresses what signatories perceive as inadequate protection from authorities, stating: “Media, newspapers, television, and even government institutions such as mayors and police, provide little or no effective protection against people expressing their opinions in violent or intimidating ways.”
Petitioners acknowledge the right to freedom of expression, including criticism of Israel, but emphasize that such criticism “should never escalate into violence against Jews or those who identify with them.” They also assert that the disruption of religious gatherings violates Dutch law, yet “police and mayoral intervention and the enforcement of these laws are seriously lacking.”
The document declares Israel “to be a friendly state” with the right to protect its citizens, while calling on the Dutch government “to provide protection and safety to Jews, Christians, and everyone who speaks out about Israel in any way.”
Broader Context
These incidents occur against a backdrop of reportedly increasing anti-Jewish attacks in the Netherlands since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and hundreds of kidnappings.
Christians for Israel, which has supported projects in Israel for decades and assisted Jews returning to the country, remains committed to its mission despite the recent confrontations. The organization continues to call for adherence to Dutch constitutional protections and prosecution of those violating relevant laws.
As tensions persist, the petition represents a significant grassroots effort by Dutch Christians seeking to ensure the safety and freedom of expression for those supporting Israel within the Netherlands.
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