Inside a recreation of the room Anne Frank shared in the annex while hiding from the Nazis in The Netherlands. Photo: John Halpern

What does it mean to live as a Jew or an open supporter of Israel in the Netherlands today? Increasingly, it means walking a fine line between identity and safety. What once was considered a bastion of liberal values and open-mindedness is now showing signs of regression, where expressing certain beliefs can carry real professional and social risks.

When Support for Israel Becomes a Liability

Despite strong qualifications and years of experience, some individuals now find that job opportunities quietly vanish once their views on Israel are known. A Google search that reveals support for the Jewish State can be enough to brand someone “divisive” — not because of their actions, but simply because they dare to voice dissent from the dominant narrative.

This isn’t a theoretical concern. According to a 2023 report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), Dutch Jews report some of the highest levels of fear in Europe regarding verbal abuse, social exclusion, and discrimination, especially in professional environments. The report found that nearly 35% of Dutch Jews avoid wearing symbols of their identity in public.

A Historical Echo

The Netherlands has long promoted itself as a tolerant and equitable society. Yet, historical memory paints a more complex picture. During the Holocaust, roughly 102,000 Jews, about 75% of the Jewish population in the Netherlands, were deported and murdered. While there were courageous individuals who resisted, the broader society often complied or looked away.

We may not be seeing the same uniforms or policies today, but the moral ambivalence feels disturbingly familiar. Subtle pressures — social, professional, and institutional — are pushing Dutch Jews and Israel supporters into silence. Symbols of support for Palestinian nationalism, including keffiyehs and “From the river to the sea” slogans, are increasingly common in workplaces and protests, even though the latter has been widely criticized by Jewish organizations as a call for the elimination of Israel.

The “Respectable” Face of a Dangerous Trend

Modern antisemitism rarely presents as overt hatred. Instead, it hides behind the language of human rights and activism. In Dutch universities and offices, there is growing tolerance for anti-Israel sentiment that often crosses into antisemitic territory. In contrast, Jewish identity and Zionist viewpoints are increasingly seen as provocations.

One law firm employee shared her discomfort at colleagues wearing politically charged symbols in support of Palestine, while she felt compelled to hide her Star of David necklace. In another instance, a respectful disagreement with a colleague’s anti-Israel post led to a formal reprimand, not for harassment, but for challenging a prevailing narrative.

This is not free speech. This is selective tolerance, in which only certain perspectives are protected. It’s a climate in which Dutch Jews must weigh every expression of their identity against potential backlash.

Security and Silence

The rise in visible antisemitism in the Netherlands has prompted increased security at Jewish schools, synagogues, and community centers. According to the Netherlands Coordination Forum for Countering Antisemitism (CIDI), antisemitic incidents rose significantly in 2023, especially following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in October. These included online abuse, harassment, and physical threats.

Students at major universities have reported feeling unsafe expressing Jewish identity, let alone support for Israel. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian demonstrations in cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam often feature slogans and chants that international watchdogs classify as hate speech.

The Price of Looking Away

The contradiction is stark: a country that celebrates diversity and inclusion often fails to extend those values to its Jewish citizens. The silence of progressive institutions in the face of antisemitic expression, so long as it’s framed as “anti-Zionist,” exposes a growing moral disconnect.

What we are witnessing is not simply a political disagreement over Middle East policy. It is the erosion of democratic norms under pressure from ideological conformity. And it has real consequences for those who find themselves on the wrong side of public sentiment.

A Call to Conscience

For those of us who have felt the cost of speaking out — whether through lost job prospects, social isolation, or fear — this is not an abstract debate. It is personal. But silence is not an option. If the Netherlands wishes to remain a truly open society, it must defend the rights of all its citizens, including Jews and Zionists, to participate in public life without fear.

History has shown us what happens when societies allow prejudice to fester unchallenged. Let’s not wait for hindsight to remind us of what we failed to defend.

The author is the CEO of Time to Stand Up for Israel.