Mokum: this Yiddish word is one of my favourite nicknames for the city of Amsterdam. It describes a place that, despite being cold, has become a warm nest for many wandering citizens of the world who are seeking somewhere safe to call home. It is not perfect. For many it is also a symbol of a brutal colonial past, of policy decisions that sideline the most vulnerable – the capital of a country deeply divided. The struggle is between those who want to keep the Netherlands this messy, imperfect beacon of humanity, and those who would see it plunge into political polarisation by blaming its problems on already vulnerable populations such as immigrants and undocumented people.
Since 7 October, the Netherlands has steadfastly supported Israel, supplying its forces with money and weapons. It hasn’t mattered how many Palestinians are bombed, how many hospitals the IDF destroys, or how popular support for Palestine is among normal Amsterdammers. The official line has remained the same: the Netherlands stands with Israel, remains its ally and its friend. That didn’t change when the Maccabi-Ajax game was scheduled, and the Johan Cruijff Arena was chosen as its stage. ….more
