Dutch Police Clash with Anti-immigration Protesters in The Hague

THE GUARDIAN: Police use teargas and water cannon to disperse violent demonstrators who block highway and smash windows at centre-left D66 party’s HQ

Dutch police have used teargas and a water cannon to disperse violent anti-immigration protesters in The Hague on Saturday, a local government spokesperson has said.

Thousands of people joined a protest organised by a rightwing activist demanding stricter immigration policies and a clampdown on asylum seekers, just over a month before a national election.

Large groups of protesters, many waving Dutch flags and flags associated with far-right groups, clashed violently with the police, throwing rocks and bottles, footage from broadcaster NOS showed.

A police car was set on fire and a group of protesters briefly blocked a highway near the site of the demonstration. » | Agencies | Saturday, September 20, 2025

Muslims: Dutch ‘Others’ - Episode 2: Ethnic Profiling

Jul 12, 2025 | “In the Netherlands, Islamophobia is in the law”

Dutch MP and leader of the Denk Party, Stephan van Baarle, talks to TRT World about the ethnic profiling of MPs in the Dutch Parliament with Moroccan, Turkish or other migrant backgrounds in what he says is yet another manifestation of anti-Muslim racism.


I should like to make a few points on this video here. …

First of all, Islam is NOT a ‘race’. So, people against Islam cannot be “racists” by definition. They can be prejudiced and/or bigited, of course, but not racist. Islam has its adherents and believers from all over the world, and from all races..

I should like to know what Stephan van Baarle, the leader of the Denk Party, proposes for the rights of gays in the Netherlands? Were he to be in control, would gays’ rights be swept away? If he were to follow the tenets of his religion, Dutch gays would be allowed no rights at all. Homosexuality is anathema to Islam.

My last point is this… You say that you work to make things better. That is admirable indeed. However, I should like to point out that the word “better” is a value judgment. What is better to one person can be, and will be worse in the eyes of another. – © Mark Alexander

Trump’s Overnight Stay in a Royal Dutch Palace – Exclusive Tour

Jun 24, 2025 | Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague is one of the three official palaces of the Dutch royal family — and tonight it welcomes a very special guest: US President Donald Trump.

Built in the 17th century for Amalia of Solms, wife of Prince Frederik Hendrik, this elegant palace has a rich history. Its Oranjezaal was once the setting for the world’s first International Peace Conference in 1899, making Huis ten Bosch a symbol of both heritage and diplomacy.

Today, the palace serves as the private residence of King Willem Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. From its beautiful gardens and historic halls to its unique collection of artworks, Huis ten Bosch blends royal tradition with modern statecraft. The Palace will host government leaders for tonight's NATO dinner. But only Trump will stay the night and have breakfast with the royal couple tomorrow.

In this video, we take you inside the palace for an exclusive tour — exploring its heritage. History combined with modern Dutch design.

Royal Welcome: NATO Leaders Arrive at Dutch Palace for Historic Summit Dinner

June 24, 2025 | In a ceremonial highlight of the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, Heads of State and Government from key NATO member states—including the United Kingdom, Italy, Türkiye, Greece, France, and the United States—arrived at the Palace Huis ten Bosch for a formal dinner hosted by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima. The evening event marked a moment of unity and symbolism, reinforcing the alliance’s shared values amid heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning Ukraine and transatlantic defense cooperation.

The Dutch royal couple warmly welcomed each delegation, underlining the importance of diplomacy and alliance cohesion in today’s complex security landscape. The gathering also served as a prelude to high-stakes strategic discussions scheduled for the following day, focused on deterrence, defense industry scaling, and long-term support for NATO’s eastern flank.

Netherlands General Election: Anti-Islam Populist Wilders Seeks Coalition Partners after Shock Win

Nov 23, 2023 | Anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders said Thursday he is ready to join the next Dutch coalition government after he surged to a huge election victory that marked a stunning lurch to the far right for a nation once famed as a beacon of tolerance. FRANCE 24's European Affairs Editor Armen Georgian tells us more.

Populist Geert Wilders Emerges as Winner in the Dutch Elections, Might Fall Short of Governing

Nov 23, 2023 | The party of far-right populist Geert Wilders is set to emerge as the largest force after elections in the Netherlands. Early results point to the Freedom Party winning 35 of the 150 seats in parliament. Many other parties have ruled out working with Wilders and his party.

Anti-Islam Populist Geert Wilders Wins Dutch Election | BBC News

Nov 23, 2023 | Geert Wilders, a veteran anti-Islam populist leader, has won a dramatic victory in the Dutch general election, according to the latest forecast. After 25 years in parliament, his Freedom party (PVV) is set to win 37 seats, well ahead of his nearest rival, a left-wing alliance. "The PVV can no longer be ignored," he said. His win has shaken Dutch politics and it will send a shock across Europe too.

Netherlands Election | Geert Wilders Won Dutch Elections with His Anti-Islamist Campaign | N18V

Nov 23, 2023 | The far-right, anti-Islam party of firebrand politician Geert Wilders has won a stunning victory in the Dutch election, partial results showed on Wednesday, a political bombshell that will resound in Europe and around the world. His PVV (Freedom Party) won 35 seats in parliament, a landslide according to initial results and a generally reliable exit poll. A left-wing bloc trailed far behind on 25 seats, with the centre-right party on 24.

Geert Wilders: The Dutch Far-right Figurehead Sending a Chill across Europe

GUARDIAN EUROPE: After 20 years as a political outlier, the leader of the anti-immigration Freedom party is closer to power than ever before

Known for his distinctive platinum-blond hairstyle and his aggressive anti-Islam and anti-immigration rhetoric, Geert Wilders has been catapulted by the Dutch elections to the place he loves most to be: at the centre of attention.

In a political earthquake, Wilders’ Freedom party was on course late on Wednesday to win the most votes in the country’s parliamentary elections, opening the way for the politician to play a key role in the formation of the next government after an election dominated by debate over immigration.

From describing Islam as “an ideology of a retarded culture” and calling Moroccans “scum”, Wilders, who is often compared to former US president Donald Trump for his inflammatory rhetoric and use of social media, has long been a prominent fixture in the European far-right landscape. » | Pjotr Sauer in Amsterdam | Thursday, November 23, 2023

How Europe’s far right is marching steadily into the mainstream: Whether in Italy, Spain, France or Finland, parties that were once outcasts are fast gaining respectability – and power »

EN FRANÇAIS :

Pays-Bas : l’extrême droite de Geert Wilders remporte les législatives, selon les sondages sortie des urnes : Le PVV (Parti de la Liberté) a obtenu autour de 35 sièges et une victoire électorale confortable, selon l’institut Ipsos, contre 26 pour l’alliance de gauche. Le VVD de centre droit a remporté 23 sièges. Une coalition a besoin de 76 sièges pour gouverner. »

Far-right Populist Geert Wilders Leads Dutch Election, Says Exit Polls • FRANCE 24 English

Nov 22, 2023 | The far-right, anti-Islam party of firebrand politician Geert Wilders has won the Dutch election, exit polls suggested Wednesday, a political earthquake that will be felt far beyond the country's borders.

Anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders wins Dutch election: Far-Right political veteran, 60, predicted to take majority after campaign demanding a Nexit referendum and ‘zero asylum seekers’ »

Far-Right Leader Wilders Leads Dutch Poll on Eve of Election

BLOOMBERG: Wilders jumped in polls this week after key televised debates / Center-right, left parties are close behind in polls

Dutch far-right populist Geert Wilders jumped to first place in the latest survey ahead of elections on Wednesday, setting the stage for him to enter government.

His Freedom Party is projected to gain 28 seats in parliament, just one seat more than the two parties currently tied for second place, according to an I&O Research poll published Tuesday.

The surge comes on the heels of recent televised debates featuring Wilders, who promotes anti-Muslim views and has lived under police protection for two decades following death threats. » | Cagan Koc | Posted: Monday, November 20, 2023; updated: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

While Writing Anti-Islam Book, He Became Muslim! - The Story of Joram Van Klaveren

Sep 15, 2022 | How did Joram Van Klaveren became a Muslim? In this interview, he tells us about his journey to Islam. …

Ex-Far Right, Devout Christian Dutchman, Joram van Klaveren, Talks about Why People Are Converting to Islam | #shorts

Click here to find out his surprising answer to the phenomenon.
Far-right Dutch politician converts to Islam: In a move that surprised many of his friends and colleagues, former far-right Dutch politician Joram van Klaveren has converted to Islam. As a former member of Geert Wilders' PPV party he now says he was wrong. »

Dutch PM Mark Rutte to Leave Politics after Collapse of Government

THE GUARDIAN: Netherlands’ longest serving PM announces decision after his coalition resigned on Friday

The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, the Netherlands’ longest serving premier, said on Monday he would leave politics after a general election sparked by his government’s resignation.

His decision means the end of more than 13 years in power for the conservative leader sometimes called Teflon Mark because scandals that plagued his four different administrations did not stick to him. » | Associated Press in The Hague | Monday, July 10, 2023

Related video here.

Dutch PM Rutte Resigns after Coalition Splits over Migration | DW News

Jul 8, 2023 | Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has announced his resignation, after his governing coalition fell apart. The four parties failed to agree on measures to address immigration. Crisis talks between partners fell apart late Friday evening. Rutte is the Netherlands' longest-serving leader. His government will stay on in caretaker mode, until new elections later this year.

Dutch King Apologizes for the Netherlands' Role in Slavery | DW News

Jul 1, 2023 | King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has apologized for his country's role in slavery.

The Netherlands is commemorating the anniversary of the country's abolition of slavery. Speculation had been growing that the king would offer an apology on behalf of the royal house. Last year Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologized for the country's involvement in the slave trade and slavery, but stopped short of offering compensation to descendants of enslaved people.

It is part of a wider reckoning with colonial histories in the West that have been spurred in recent years by the Black Lives Matter movement. DW correspondent Christine Mhundwa has more.


Related article here.

Dutch King Apologises for Country’s Historical Involvement in Slavery

THE GUARDIAN: On day to remember 160th anniversary of abolition of slavery in Netherlands, Willem-Alexander says racism is still a problem

‘I make this apology myself. And I feel the weight of the words in my heart and my soul,’ said King Willem-Alexander in a speech in Amsterdam on Saturday. Photograph: Reuters
The Dutch king, Willem-Alexander, has apologised for the Netherlands’ historical involvement in slavery and the effects that it still has today.

The king was speaking in Amsterdam on the 160th anniversary of the legal abolition of slavery in the Netherlands, including in former colonies in the Caribbean.

In an emotional speech, he said: “On this day that we remember the Dutch history of slavery, I ask forgiveness for this crime against humanity. As your king and as a member of the government, I make this apology myself. And I feel the weight of the words in my heart and my soul.”

He said racism in Dutch society was still a problem and not everyone would support his apology. However, “the times have changed and keti koti … the chains have truly been broken,” he said to cheers and applause from thousands of onlookers at the national slavery monument in Oosterpark. » | Donna Ferguson and agency | Saturday, July 1, 2023

Spectacular Colorized Film of the Beginning of the German Occupation of The Netherlands during WW II

Premiered Apr 23, 2023

Joram van Klaveren: From the Dutch Far-right to Islam | The InnerView

Dec 19, 2022 | When a far-right Dutch politician set about trying to write a book to debunk the “evil ideology” of Islam, he began a journey that saw him becoming a Muslim. Joram van Klaveren, once seen as the heir apparent to anti-Islam ideologue Geert Wilders, speaks to The InnerView about disavowing his previous views and “falling in love” with Islam.

Pride Month 2021: Defying Nazi Persecution | Reupload

Jul 6, 2021 | It was a daring and dangerous mission. To try to protect the true identities of Jews and resistance fighters hiding behind false ID cards, members of a Dutch resistance group knew they had to destroy the originals. Dressed as policemen, they entered the Amsterdam Registry and set off explosions that burned 800,000 identity cards. During this digital program, Museum experts told the stories of Frieda Belinfante, one of Europe’s first female conductors and a lesbian, and painter Willem Arondeus, a gay man and a leader of this group of artists turned resisters.

Speaker
Dr. Klaus Mueller, European Representative, International Archival Programs, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Host
Dr. Edna Friedberg, Historian, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum