AMSTERDAM – The Netherlands unveiled the National Holocaust Museum on Sunday in a ceremony attended by the Dutch king and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Herzog’s presence sparked protests due to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Situated in Amsterdam, the museum shares the narratives of 102,000 Jews deported from the Netherlands during World War II, emphasizing the structural persecution they faced under German occupation. Dutch King Willem-Alexander highlighted that the museum gives a voice to Jewish victims and exposes the devastating impact of antisemitism.
Against the backdrop of Israel’s actions in Gaza, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered near the museum, expressing opposition to Herzog’s presence. The Jewish Cultural Quarter, overseeing the museum, expressed concern about the ongoing conflict’s consequences.
The museum, located in a former teacher training college, features exhibits portraying historical events and discriminatory laws against Jews. It aims to vividly portray the experiences of those persecuted during this dark period in history.