Netherlands: Blunt Words for the Dutch Muslim Community

Ronald Plasterk is a Dutch scientist and retired politician (Labour Party). In the wake of the recent anti-Jewish riots in Amsterdam, he has written an op-ed in the Dutch daily,  De Telegraaf, in which he bluntly advises the Dutch Muslim community to emulate the successes of the Jewish community instead of attacking it. The above op-ed in the De Telegraaf is subject to a subscriber block, but his words have drawn praise from the conservative Dutch news outlet, Dageljkse Standaard. That article is translated by Fousesquawk.

Ronald Plasterk: “Dutch Muslims should follow the example of the Jewish community!”

Opinion-15 November at 16:00

What a relief it would have been if Ronald Plasterk, with his clear view of society, had become the minister-president of this cabinet. In his recent column in De Teklegraaf, Plasterk puts his finger right on the sore spot. He states that Dutch Muslims would be better off following the example of Jewish society. And to be honest, who can be against that? Plasterk at least dares to tell it like it is.

In a world where anti-semitism, unfortunately, is flaring up again, Plasterk points out an uncomfortable truth: There seems to be a form of jealousy at play. Jews form only 0.2% of the world’s population but are responsible for an overwhelming 20% of the Nobel prizes in the exact sciences.  That is no accident, it is the result of hard work and dedication. And that is precisely what Plasterk points out to Muslims: Work hard, be proud of your roots, and follow the example of the success stories of the Jewish community.

Plasterk makes short work of the victimhood that is currently so often embraced. He advises Dutch Muslims to focus less on the endless discussions about Gaza, Hamas, and Hezbollah. It is time to look beyond the eternal role of victim. As Plasterk correctly notes, the Dutch media are often pro-Gaza and anti-Israel, but this same “good community” will not choose the side of Hamas and Hezbollah if it involves the destruction of Israel. 

It would be much more sensible to learn from the Jewish society. Arabs and Jews belong to the same stock, as Plasterk makes clear in a conversation with Professor Peter de Knijff, professor of Anthropogeny at the University of Leiden. They are two societies that are genetically and culturally closer to each other than one might think. And still, there is a world of difference in approach. While the Jewish community is proud of its achievements and contributions to science, parts of the Muslim community engage in destructive rhetoric.

Frankly, it is a shame that Plasterk doesn’t get the chance to proclaim his sort of wisdom from the tower at NSC*. His call to Dutch Muslims to emulate the successes of the Jewish community is not only justified, but it is also a message that is desperately needed in this time of polarization and mutual distrust. Instead of endless complaints over alleged inequality, it is time to show your worth, just as the Jewish community has been doing for decades.

* NSC- New Social Contract political party