The leader of the largest party in the Netherlands' governing coalition, Geert Wilders, has called for foreigners to be deported. But the opposition accused him of "pouring oil onto the fire".
The Dutch government this week continued its policy of talking tough when it comes to migration. It announced it would begin implementing border controls from December that are due to last until at least June 2025.
The feared domino effect from Germany's September decision to introduce controls at all its borders appears to have materialized. The Dutch announcement represents another blow to free movement within Europe's Schengen zone. Some fear the increasing border controls may cause the system to collapse entirely.
The Dutch government promised to put in place "the strictest asylum regime ever implemented" and recently it called for a waiver from the EU's migration and asylum system. The request is unlikely to be granted.
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Anti-Semitic violence
This happens at a time when Brussels is preparing to implement its new Migration Pact in 2026, partly aimed at strengthening the EU's external borders.
Some members of the right-wing ruling coalition have said they are exploring the possibility of being able to send asylum seekers who had their requests denied in the Netherlands to Uganda. However, formal agreements have not been drawn up between the two countries.
Meantime the Netherlands is still reeling from unrest following a Europa soccer league match between Maccabi Tel Aviv, an Israeli team, and the Dutch team Ajax. According to reports, Maccabi fans were pursued by youths on scooters and beaten up. The Dutch authorities also suggest that some of the Israeli fans burned a Palestinian flag ahead of the game, chanted anti-Arab slogans and attacked a taxi.
This resulted in a series of violent incidents and demonstrations across the Netherlands, ending with Israel's sending planes to pick up and safeguard its citizens in the face of anti-semitic attacks and several arrests.
Amsterdam's mayor said there had been a "poisonous cocktail of anti-semitism and hooliganism," reported the news agency AFP.
Threats of deportation
This week in parliament Geert Wilders, the leader of the government's largest party, declared that the violence against the Maccabi fans was the fault of Muslims in the Netherlands. He threatened to prosecute on charges of terrorism anyone who had taken part and said they should "lose their passports and be kicked out of the country."
Government sources labeled the violence an expression of "pure and simple anti-Semitism," saying it had been perpetrated by youth with "migration backgrounds."
The opposition called for more dialog, saying that Wilders was "pouring oil on the fire, abusing the genuine fear and pain of one group, to stoke hate against another," reported AFP.
Read AlsoNetherlands: Coalition government agrees on tough measures against asylum seekers
Further arrests
On November 13, Dutch police arrested tens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had defied the ban on protests which was imposed last week. Demonstrators wearing scarves and chanting slogans had organized a march in Dam Square, but they were taken away on a bus by police authorities.
According to AFP, there are currently eight suspects being held following the initial violence.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof has said his government is examining "far-reaching measures" to punish anti-Semitism, including scrapping Dutch nationality for dual nationals found responsible for such crimes.
Police have said that investigations into the violence and demonstrations are ongoing and there may be more arrests to come. The government has asked for time before presenting its new anti-Semitism strategy. It has set aside at least 4.5 million euros for it so far.