The aftermath of the violent confrontations in Amsterdam continues to provoke emotions, and the role of some taxi drivers and scooter riders in particular is in the spotlight.
In the debate on the riots that shook the capital last week, Joost Eerdmans, on behalf of JA21, spoke firmly: he wants the licenses of taxi drivers who appear to be complicit in the riots to be revoked immediately. Eerdmans addressed this request directly to the cabinet, indicating that, as far as he is concerned, the penalties for involvement in such incidents should be severe.
Joost Eerdmans of JA21 has strongly called for a thorough investigation into anti-Semitism and the perpetrators involved following the recent violent incidents in Amsterdam. The wave of attacks targeting Israeli Jews, in which taxi drivers and scooter riders are said to have played a role, has caused a stir in the city and beyond.
“We need to take tough action to prevent this from happening again,” Eerdmans said during a political debate. He called for an immediate ban on face coverings during demonstrations, as he believes this would make identifying rioters significantly more difficult.
In addition to Eerdmans’ proposal to ban face coverings, Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC) has also responded with a series of measures and recommendations to prevent anti-Semitic attacks in the future. One of the most important proposals from NSC is a revision of the rules regarding the Certificate of Conduct (VOG) for taxi drivers. For drivers who are involved in anti-Semitic attacks or other violent incidents, NSC wants the criteria for obtaining or maintaining a VOG to be made stricter. According to the party, it is essential that all taxi drivers operating in the Netherlands meet high integrity standards, especially since they are responsible for the safety of their passengers and fulfill a representative function in public transport.
tensions
Tensions in the city flared when supporters of the Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv were targeted by groups of men, including presumably taxi drivers and scooter riders. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema spoke after this turbulent night of a targeted hunt for Israeli Jews in the city, a worrying conclusion that gives many pause for thought.
According to the spokesperson, an online call appeared for taxi drivers to organize, after which several taxis left for Holland Casino. There were Israeli supporters there at the time, and the situation escalated when the taxis arrived, presumably with the intention of intimidating this group.
Salaheddine takes the story from taxi drivers in Amsterdam. In the 13-minute report by Salaheddine it emerges that several taxi drivers were attacked and abused by Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters.
Mekki Aulab Ahmed, spokesperson for the Amsterdam taxi drivers, reacted strongly to the media coverage. In a interview with reporter Salaheddine he expressed his disappointment and frustration about the way the media portrays the situation, he said. “The Netherlands should be ashamed,” Ahmed said. “I am deeply disappointed in the media.”
imaging
He pointed out that the image of Mocro Dutch people is often one-sided and damaging. As an example, he mentions the man who stood up for the owner of the house on Rokin, whose Israeli flag was torn during the unrest. "That boy is now seen as a terrorist and is wanted, while he is actually a victim. He is being persecuted in the media and cannot even indicate that he is a victim," says Ahmed.
According to the spokesperson, the taxi drivers' reactions to last week's attacks were not without reason. He says that one of the taxi drivers was attacked first, after which his colleagues intervened to protect him. However, many of the drivers involved want to remain anonymous, for fear of being labeled as terrorists. Ahmed explains: "They are now seen as terrorists, while they are actually victims of a one-sided image."
call for understanding
Although politics demands strict measures, the taxi drivers seem to be calling for understanding and a nuanced presentation of the facts. The events of the past week are bringing deeper tensions to the surface, with ethnic and political dividing lines intertwining. As things stand now, the parties involved will not quickly reach a joint conclusion, but the pressure on the taxi industry to intervene in its own network is increasing.
Eerdmans has made his position clear, and Mayor Halsema will have to balance the demands of national politics and the sensitivities within the Amsterdam community. Whether the media and political leaders will succeed in balancing the situation and preventing further escalation is far from certain.
