Controversy Surrounding National Commemoration in Dam Square Raises Concerns

Never before have so many measures been taken to prevent the National Commemoration in Dam Square tonight. For example, fewer people than usual are welcome and there is a time limit display ban.

With all the excitement about the war between Israel and Hamas, there is a fear of turmoil. This is not the first time that tension in society reflects on the memory of the dead, which has been organized since 1946.

For example, in the 1960s young people criticized the memory of the Vietnam War; they felt that the Americans were being praised too much. A smoke bomb was thrown during the commemoration.

In addition, the theologian Rikko Voorberg wanted in 2017 three thousand set up crosses during the commemoration, in memory of refugees. After much agitation, he abandoned the action.

In 2018, activists wanted to draw attention to the Indian victims of the War of Independence in the former Dutch East Indies by organizing an event. air raid siren to let go. That was forbidden by the judge. From 2020, the Indonesian victims also have a place in the memorial.

This year there is criticism from different sides. For example, there are functional groups that consider the presence of Chamber President Martin Bosma (PVV) inappropriate. The Center for Israel Information and Documentation (CIDI) finds his presence uncomfortable because “the PVV is a party that discriminates against minority groups beforehand”, the CIDI states . of Volkskrant.

Some representatives of the Indian community and historians argue that there should be an end to remembering the soldiers who died during the colonial war in Indonesia. According to them, recent research has shown that the Dutch army systematically used extreme violence against Indians. A historian has pressure Loyalty wondering if the Netherlands wants to make a “bloody colonial war” by celebrating these soldiers.

A tour of the newspaper among the Indian community shows that not everyone finds it a problem to remember the Indian soldiers, partly because most of the to force soldiers and that they could go to prison if they did not leave. The young boys often did not know what to expect in the Dutch East Indies.

In addition, this year there is a lot going on about the war between Hamas and Israel, and whether or not that war should be included in the memorial. For example, more than two hundred mosques have asked the Mayor of Amsterdam Halsema to mention the violence in Gaza in her speech tonight.

Halsema previously said that the war will not be discussed in her speech on Dam Square because of her engagement role as mayor.

It reinforces the many sensibilities surrounding Remembrance Day, which are expressed in many different ways. A group of pro-Palestinian activists said otherwise News hour for example, that they do not intend to protest during the memorial service tonight. “We have asked our people not to come to Dam Square on May 4 and 5. We would like our voice to be heard, but we believe it will be used against us.”