Far-right Dutch political leader Geert Wilders On Wednesday he blamed “Moroccans” Violence involving Israeli football hooligans in Amsterdam last weekHe claims that they “want to destroy the Jews” and calls for the deportation of those convicted for their involvement.

Opposition MPs accused Wilders, leader of the Freedom Party (PVV), of “pouring oil on the fire” and stressed that his statements during the parliamentary debate did not lead to a “better society”.

There were violent incidents before and after the Europa League match played between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv last week in the Dutch capital.

Although supporters of both sides were involved in the events, famous racist hooligans Individuals associated with the Israeli club incited violence after attacking an Arab taxi driver, chanting anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian slogans, and tearing down Palestinian flags in Amsterdam city centre.

This later led to hooligans clashing with pro-Palestinian supporters and some Dutch Arab citizens, but Dutch authorities did not disclose the names or ethnicity of any citizens involved in the violence, citing the country’s privacy laws.

After the match, a large group of Maccabi fans armed with sticks went around “destroying items”, a 12-page report on the violence published by Amsterdam authorities said. in question.

The report also stated that “the rioters, moving in small groups on foot, scooter or car, quickly attacked Maccabi fans before disappearing.”

Amsterdam police said the five injured people were treated in hospital. Police detained dozens of people before the match, but there were no arrests for violence after the match.

Wilders, whose anti-Islam PVV won elections last year and now Dominates the ruling coalition government“We saw Muslims hunting Jews on the streets of Amsterdam,” he said on Wednesday, the night Amsterdam commemorated Kristallnacht, and blamed “Moroccans who wanted to destroy the Jews.”

Wilders has provided no evidence for any of his claims. However, his reference to “Kristallnacht,” the widespread anti-Semitic pogrom that overshadowed Nazi Germany on November 9, 1938 and is considered by historians to be the beginning of the Holocaust, has now become an oft-repeated trope by professionals. Israeli voices and propagandists refer to the Amsterdam incident.

Critics said Israel and its supporters were using the incident for a purpose. Disinformation campaign in the WestMuch of the media follows suit.

Wilders advocated revoking Dutch passports and deporting people convicted of involvement in violence (if they have dual Dutch-Moroccan passports).

The Dutch politician is known for his extremely Islamophobic, anti-Arab and pro-Israel rhetoric. to compare From the Quran to Adolf Hitler’s autobiography and manifesto, Mein Kampf. In November last year, Wilders was widely condemned in the Arab world by calling for the destruction of Palestinians in the West Bank. ethnic cleansing and moved to Jordan.

The incident involving Israeli hooligans in Amsterdam raised questions about the influence of the Israeli government and Israeli propaganda in Dutch politics.

Users on social media site X, including Marc Owen Jones, an academic at Northwestern University who specializes in disinformation, said: pointed out Members of the Dutch coalition appear to have used Israeli propaganda documents regarding the incident.

In one photo, Caroline van der Plas, leader of the Farmer-Citizen Movement, who holds several positions in the coalition government, is seen holding a document on the Amsterdam incident prepared by the Israeli government, which absurdly claims that Dutch citizens were involved in clashes with Maccabi hooligans. “It has ties with the terrorist organizations Hamas and the (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine)”.

New Arab He reached out to van der Plas for comment but did not receive any comment at the time of publication.

Despite the abundance of pro-Israel voices in the Dutch parliament, some MPs warned that Wilders’ comments only served to widen divisions in Dutch society.

Frans Timmermans, who leads the largest center-left bloc in parliament, said: “While this country needs politicians who bring people together, bring solutions closer, what you are doing is just creating confusion, dividing this country.” he said.

Itay Garmy, a prominent Jewish member of Amsterdam’s City Council, said that although there is a lot of anger and fear in the Jewish community, provocative words will not work.

“Do not use my safety, my suffering, or my fear as a Jew to gain political gain for yourself and voice your views on integration, immigration, or Muslim hatred,” Garmy said.