News item | 02-02-2026 | 11:00
Many Jewish students and employees still experience insecurity in higher education despite efforts after October 2023. At train stations, the protests lead – to a lesser extent – to general safety problems. The Anti-Semitism Task Force comes to these conclusions in its report ‘Captured in Freedoms’, which contains 11 proposals to increase security.
Jaap Smit, chairman of the Taskforce: “The right to demonstrate is a great asset, even against Israel’s policy. However, this should not be at the expense of our general safety and that of the Jewish community in particular. Too little attention was paid to this. When social and physical safety is threatened and legal and social boundaries are exceeded, adequate action must be taken within the limits of the law.”
The Combating Anti-Semitism Task Force, consisting of 10 members, was established by the cabinet. With the assignment to come up with proposals aimed at the safety of Jewish students in higher education and general safety at stations surrounding sit-in demonstrations. To this end, events at those locations from October 2023 onwards have been analyzed and measures taken have been mapped. The Taskforce spoke to more than 120 stakeholders, including activists, experts, experience experts and administrators.
Social security in higher education is not sufficient
The Taskforce notes that social security for Jews in higher education – despite efforts – is not yet at an adequate level. Although the majority of protest activities are peaceful, Jewish students and employees frequently experience incidents, bullying and intimidation. Some of them hide their Jewish identity or stay away from campus. Other students and employees are also in trouble and educational activities are hampered.
In these polarized times, the Task Force appreciates drivers and safety officials. Every day they face complex dilemmas – with risks to their own safety. For example, what to do in the event of a long-term occupation? If you intervene, are you adding fuel to the fire, or are you extinguishing the fire faster?
The Taskforce notes that there are more options for action within the law than initially thought. There are lessons to be learned from this. This way, offensive texts can be removed more quickly. In addition, the Taskforce recommends more active enforcement of transgressive behavior: act and speak out! The Taskforce also proposes to strengthen social safety, for example through training. The collaboration between higher education administrators and the local triangle (mayor, police and the Public Prosecution Service) has proven to be crucial. Continue to invest in that collaboration, even in quieter times.
Some common safety issues at train stations
In the past 2 years, there have been sit-in demonstrations against the policies of the State of Israel at more than 40 train stations. These actions – a new phenomenon – lead to some general security problems despite their peaceful nature. For example, there were several simultaneous sit-in demonstrations at 35 stations and there were sit-ins with more than 1,000 participants and a lot of noise (banging on pots and pans). This creates risks for enforcement capacity, for health (temporary hearing damage) and in the event of an emergency. Apart from the sit-ins, there were some cross-border protests in The Hague and Amsterdam in which demonstrators entered the railway tracks, disrupting public order. The Taskforce proposes that, within the right to demonstrate, good agreements are made between the local triangle as the competent authority and the rail sector (ProRail, NS and other train carriers) about the orderly conduct of protests.
Fundamental discussion about semi-public locations as a stage for protest
Protesters have (re)discovered train stations and campuses as a stage. It is not always clear to owners and users of these semi-public locations what the exact rules are. The Taskforce recommends the cabinet, the VNG and specialists to intensify the fundamental social discussion about this. What is allowed where and what is not allowed when it comes to demonstrations at semi-public locations, within the limits of the right to demonstrate? This recommendation must also be seen in the light of the broader hardening of the climate for action, such as protests about nitrogen, migration, corona and climate.
Invest in knowledge about Jewish life and anti-Semitism
The Taskforce proposes to continue investing in knowledge about Jewish life and anti-Semitism. The number of general reports and reports of anti-Semitism to the police rose sharply, from 549 in 2022 to 880 in 2023 and also in 2024. During the protest actions on campuses and train stations, punishable anti-Semitism was rarely identified by the Public Prosecution Service. However, there does appear to be veiled anti-Semitism on a regular basis, especially through anti-Zionist expressions that can serve as a dog whistle. In addition to paying attention to the vulnerable position of Jews, we as a Taskforce ask for support for administrators and security officials. They are often the first in the proverbial line of fire when they speak out or act against anti-Semitism.
Jaap Smit: “Jews should not be held individually or collectively responsible for the actions of the State of Israel. In addition, we must at all times be vigilant against rising anti-Semitism as a canary in the coal mine for decay in our society. As a society, we must continue to speak out against anti-Semitism.”
