What beganas violent clashesbetween locals and Israeli soccer fans has spiraled into a clash of identities in the Netherlands, leaving many feeling their place in society is precarious, their belonging conditional, and their voices drowned out in a tide of blame.
The resignation of a Moroccan-born minister has added yet more fuel to a fire that has exposeddeep racial and religious dividesfrom the streets to the Cabinet office, bringing the government to the brink of crisis.
Deputy finance minister Nora Achahbar quit the Cabinet on Friday in protest after hearing alleged racist remarks during a closed-door Dutch Cabinet meeting.
Amsterdam was gripped by violence this monthsurrounding a match between Dutch team Ajax and the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv. According to officials, the violence included rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them, sending five to hospital, andinflammatory and violent actionsby some of the Israeli fans, who shouted phrases like Death to the Arabs and Let the IDF win. We will f— the Arabs.
The episode spread fear in the Jewish community and revealed long-simmering frustrations overanti-Muslim rhetoricand Islamophobia in the Netherlands.
In statements made afterthe attacks,Geert Wilders whose anti-Islam, anti-immigrant Freedom party (PVV)won the most seatsin Dutch elections a year agoblamed Moroccans who want to destroy Jews, and called for the perpetrators to be prosecuted for terrorism, lose their passports and be kicked out of the country.
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