Justice minister wants law making glorifying terrorism a crime

Justice Minister David van Weel (VVD) says he understands why Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema did not intervene against banners and flags supporting Hamas at the pro-Palestinian demonstration at the National Monument on the Dam on 11 October. He spoke after talks in Amsterdam with the driehoek, the local body of mayor, police and prosecutors.

"I have been persuaded that this was the only possibility," Van Weel said. He added that there is currently no legal basis to act, and that nothing guarantees it will not happen again. He again called on the Tweede Kamer to work quickly with the cabinet on a law that makes glorification of terrorism punishable. He does not want to see the scenes at the monument "again".

Halsema called the expressions of support "shocking and distasteful", but said they were not punishable, so intervening was not possible.

Last week, in the Tweede Kamer question hour, Van Weel said the events went "far beyond his limit" and that he wanted to speak to Halsema. Asked now whether he came on too strong, he said: "No, not at all." He acknowledged it would have been better to phone Halsema before the question hour. The two agreed they will "know how to find each other" in future.

A spokesperson for Halsema said Van Weel could have contacted the mayor beforehand. The spokesperson called it "the world upside down" that part of parliament attacks a mayor who keeps to the law.

A Rode Lijn (Red Line) demonstration against the Dutch government's policy on Israel is planned in Amsterdam on 8 November. Van Weel said it is up to the local driehoek to decide how to handle pro-Hamas banners there.