“Sometimes the emotions were high during the congress,” the party presidents write. “That is allowed, especially if there are major differences. But we always discuss them in a respectful way.” But the opposite turned out to be the case at the congress, which was mainly dominated by screaming and shouting towards dissenters.
The flames are still taking off the party, after opponents of the controversial motion Piri were booed last Saturday at the common congress. A crying Gerdi Verbeet, former Chamber President, canceled her membership the next day. Local politicians also cut their membership card, just like former PvdA Minister Ronald Plasterk.
Ronald Plasterk cancel membership party: There are no shades of gray or nuances, PvdA opts for evil
‘Joelen does not fit the party’
Together with former party leaders Job Cohen, Lodewijk Asscher and Ad Melkert, Verbeet tried to adjust the anti-Israel policy of PvdA/GL, but the members voted massively for the Piri motion, who must ensure that Israel can no longer defend themselves against incoming missiles and argues for a total armsembargo.
Sent and Eikelenboom did not hear anything before, but now write a letter to the members. They do not apologize in this, but do admit that they ‘failed at times’. “Shouts or talking through someone does not fit the party we want to be. We all call on you: embrace the positive energy of this congress and keeps heart and arms open to those who feel pain now.”