Dutch politicians are indignant about the treatment of member of parliament Geert Wilders but want to avoid a diplomatic conflict. Relations between Britain and the Netherlands are too important.
The Wilders affair was not worth a new war with Britain, said parliamentary chairman Gerdi Verbeet mockingly earlier this week. But she completely disagreed with the British government's decision to refuse entry to Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders.
Indignation and resignation characterise most political reactions to the British ban on Wilders, which can be traced back to a tightening of laws since the suicide attacks in London in 2005. Since then entry to Britain can be refused for people with such extreme ideas that they threaten national security. This has already happened 270 times since July 2005.
But whether or not it is legal, just about every Dutch politician is at odds with the British decision. "Churchill would turn in his grave," according to right-wing liberal (VVD) member of parliament Hans van Baalen. Muted Protest from the Dutch in Latest Wilders Affair >>> By Mark Kranenburg | Friday, February 13, 2009
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