In order not to scare Geert Wilders’ guards, René van der Gijp cut the Televizier cake himself yesterday in Today Inside. “I’ll get him with that knife, you have nothing to fear from me!”
The long-awaited Today Inside interview with Geert Wilders is over: it was a more critical broadcast than with Frans Timmermans, but there was also room for a laugh. The PVV leader had to laugh heartily several times at comments from Johan Derksen and René van der Gijp, and treated Wilfred Genee’s attitude lightly.
Hork Faber
While Timmermans received a velvety-soft treatment, the typical VI criticisms of Wilders were discussed. Johan presented him with his opinion on former asylum minister Marjolein Faber, among other things. “Yes, but Geert, she couldn’t communicate. (…) She was a jerk when she came into the picture, that Mrs. Faber.”
Wilders: “I didn’t think it was a bad thing, but it wasn’t easy for her either. I have to be honest.”
Wilfred: “But she didn’t get anything done, Mr. Wilders, nothing happened!”
NSC’s fault, according to Wilders.
One man show
It goes on to say that the PVV is not a democratic party, although Johan has to admit that Wilders is doing well. “The results are also great of course. For one one-man show.”
René: “What are you laughing about?”
Wilders laughing: “Bland, that one-man show every time!”
The atmosphere is a little less friendly when it comes to Israel. Johan: “Geert, I am especially bothered by the fact that you keep justifying Israel’s war crimes. You belong to Frits Barend and those types who think everything is fine. Of course Hamas is a terrible organization…”
Terror organization
Wilders immediately corrects Johan. “A terrorist organization, Johan.”
Johan: “A terrorist organization that committed a brutal attack.”
René: “And they are now being beastly again, aren’t they?”
Johan: “Israel had every right to eliminate Hamas, but if that doesn’t work, you can’t shoot 66,000 people and hope that there will be a few Hamas members among them. Then you are a war criminal. I thought you went too far in your blind adoration of Israel.”
Blind adoration
Wilders does not agree with that criticism. “I have no blind adoration and I also regret every civilian death that is not necessary. Let that be clear. I regret that too. (…) Of course you have to try to prevent civilian casualties, but in every war that is inevitable. And who started that war, Johan? That was Hamas.”
Johan: “I think it’s crazy that you condone war crimes.”
René soon provides a comical touch when the cake in honor of winning the Golden Televizier Ring is served.
“Do you have a knife?”
Who cuts the cake? René to the barmaid: “Do you have a knife, darling? Be careful with that knife, because then four of those guards will come at you in a moment! Hahahahaha! They are all there waiting for you to come with that knife! Well, leave that knife! No, come on, I’ll get him with that knife, Geert, you have nothing to fear from me!”
Then René gets a big knife pressed into his hands. “Oh my, it’s a big one! That guard is going crazy, thinking: what’s going to happen now?”
Watchdog
Johan ends the broadcast with a compliment to Wilders. “The Netherlands also needs him very badly. He is the watchdog that keeps all the left-wing people awake.”
René: “You’re being kicked out of the party tonight! You’re just being singled out, man!”
Wilders ends the broadcast with a laugh. And all in all it was a balanced broadcast, according to VI expert Victor Vlam. “Wilders received a lot of pushback at Today Inside. Much more than Timmermans. But I am inclined to think that he came out better because he dealt with the criticism well, sometimes even with humor.”
Typical Wilfred
Does Victor think Wilfred was too critical? He writes on
In any case, the criticisms were valid, the TV expert concludes. “That’s right. There were many points that had already been discussed there at the table. Then you also have to present them to Wilders when he is sitting in front of you.”