Dutch government could fall over handling of violence against Israeli fans, media report

The Dutch cabinet met in emergency session earlier today amid reports the coalition could implode over the government’s handling of violence by Arab and Muslim mobs targeting visiting Israeli soccer fans last week.

Nora Achahbar, junior finance minister in the coalition led by anti-Muslim populist Geert Wilders’ PVV, had earlier resigned over remarks by ministers on Monday about the attacks, several media reported, citing sources in the ongoing cabinet session.

Achahbar’s resignation led to the crisis cabinet meeting this afternoon in which other cabinet members of her centrist NSC party also threatened to quit, broadcasters NOS and RTL says, citing government sources.

Achahbar felt several cabinet members had crossed a line with hurtful and possibly racist comments against Arab and Muslim, Dutch paper De Volkskrant reported.

Wilders has repeatedly said Dutch youth of Moroccan descent were the main attackers of the Israeli fans, although police have given no details about the background of suspects.

Neither Wilders nor Achahbar, who was born in Morocco and served as public prosecutor before she joined the government in July, were available to comment as the cabinet meeting was ongoing on Friday afternoon.

Party leaders have been summoned to join another cabinet meeting later this evening, media said. Achahbar’s office and government spokespeople could not be immediately reached by Reuters.

If the NSC party pulls out, the other three coalition members would either have to go ahead as a minority coalition or call early elections.

Israeli and Dutch politicians have denounced the attacks against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans as antisemitic and claimed that they recalled persecution of Jews during World War II.