King Willem-Alexander graced the opening of the National Holocaust Museum at the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, where he was greeted by Mayor Femke Halsema and Arthur van

Dijk, the King's Commissioner in Noord-Holland.

Before entering the synagogue, the King held discussions in the Regency Room with Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also participated in the event, known as Ma'amad. The King delivered a speech during the opening ceremony and later embarked on a guided tour of the museum.

Emile Schrijver, the general director of the National Holocaust Museum, delivered the first address, underscoring the significance of respect and altruism in his remarks.

In his speech, Israeli President Isaac Herzog appealed for the release of Jewish hostages detained in Gaza. He highlighted the Holocaust museum as a poignant reminder of the atrocities stemming from anti-Semitism, emphasizing the resurgence of hate and anti-Semitism worldwide.

Herzog acknowledged the collaboration of Dutch citizens in aiding persecuted Jews during the Holocaust, but also lamented the complicity of some in assisting the Nazis.

German Federal Council President Manuela Schwesig echoed Herzog's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust. She stressed collective responsibility in ensuring that such atrocities never recur, advocating for sustained efforts to combat hatred and racism across Europe.

The opening ceremony at the Portuguese Synagogue drew several hundred attendees, including outgoing Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yeşilgöz, former politician Lodewijk Asscher, NS CEO Wouter Koolmees, and his predecessor Roger van Boxtel.

Meanwhile, a demonstration opposing Israeli President Herzog's presence unfolded outside the synagogue, with protesters intermittently audible during the proceedings. About a thousand individuals gathered at Waterlooplein to protest, aiming to voice their opposition with chants and music.

To manage the situation, the Mobile Unit positioned itself between the Portuguese Synagogue and Waterlooplein, preventing demonstrators from advancing toward the synagogue. Despite the disruptions, the opening ceremony proceeded, underscoring the importance of remembering the Holocaust and combating anti-Semitism. Photo by Chajm Guski from Germany, Wikimedia commons.